by Phillip Cashion

Created on: November 27, 2008   Last Updated: March 06, 2009

While most of the articles state that the phrase "spare the rod spoil the child" comes from a misused verse in Proverbs in the Bible, I will beg to differ. The quote is stated word for word in a poem by Samuel Butler entitled "Hudibras". In the poem Butler stated, "Love is a boy, by poets styled, Then spare the rod spoil the child". This info can be confirmed at http://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/brewers/spare-r od-spoil-child.html whose Source is Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894. Check it out for yourself. But please quit using the Holy Word to continue this atrocity against children, especially when misquoting or confusing the source of a saying.

Normally I would not point out mistakes of others, but in this instance it is too important for two reasons. The scripture does say "do not add to or take away" from the Word Of God. And secondly, this quote is being used as a defense for child abuse. I believe in spankings and correct corrections, I do not , however, accept the willful abuse of a child. My belief rest in this among other scriptures

Proverbs 29:15 15: The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

One should remember that the scripture also states "and, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath"(Ephesians 6:4). Also when it comes to discipline of a child some thing else should be remembered:

Psalm 6:1 1: O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

This is very important. never discipline a child while in an angry state. It leads to abuse.

Confucius stated,"To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short"(n.d.). In this case, he is saying to me to over correct a child is as bad as no correction at all. One must try to find a balance of love and the right correction for the child that is disobedient. This is so important in parenting and that comes with extreme patience.

I personally believe that children can be punished effectively the old fashion way with spankings; however, I go more toward the psychological approach of parenting. This is accomplished through noticing the good things and awarding the child instead of punishing the bad. Some children go in search of attention and will do what ever is necessary to achieve that attention whether good or bad. The trick is to teach them to get good attention through rewarding the good that they do.

The quote "spare the rod spoil the child" is used out of context and the source is usually mistaken-ed. This is my attempt to correct that mistake as well as make a stand on discipline and abuse of children.

Thanks for reading.

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