Saint Thomas Aquinas says, wisely, that the only way to drive out a bad passion is by a stronger good passion. The same is true of thoughts as of passions. When your mind wanders, like a child, your will must bring it back, like a mother. [. .] The will-parent must discipline the mind-child, avoiding both the opposite extremes commonly made in disciplining either children or thoughts: tyranny or permissiveness. Peter Kreeft
About This Quote

The will-parent must discipline the mind-child, avoiding both the opposite extremes commonly made in disciplining either children or thoughts: tyranny or permissiveness. The word "tyranny" is a more familiar term, but it is a more extreme way of expressing this same idea. In tyranny, one person is seen as having absolute power over another person. The "tyranny" of a parent or teacher can be pretty horrendous if their discipline is too harsh on a child.

On the other hand, the permissive parenting style allows a child to do whatever they want whenever they want. In this case, the parent or teacher provides no discipline whatsoever and leaves kids to fend for themselves.

Source: Prayer For Beginners

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  1. We sinned for no reason but an incomprehensible lack of love, and He saved us for no reason but an incomprehensible excess of love.
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