Quotes by John W. Holt

“People who dont take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year. People who do take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year.”

“Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are to some extent a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it piece by piece by thought, choice, courage and determination.”

“Even when we do not create childrens fears, when they come to us with fears ready-made and built-in, we use their fears as handles to manipulate them and get them to do what we want”

“We destroy the love of learning in children, which is so strong when they are small, by encouraging and compelling them to work for petty and contemptible rewards.”

“If we continually try to force a child to do what he is afraid to do, he will become more timid, and will use his brains and energy, not to explore the unknown, but to find ways to avoid the pressures we put on him.”