--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every age and degree of understanding…" description: "\"Every age and degree of understanding should have its proper measure of discipline. With regard to boys and adolescents, therefore, or those who cannot..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/benedict-of-nursia-29376_age_every-age-and-degree-of-understanding-sh_383549.png" --- # Every age and degree of understanding should have its… ![“Every age and degree of understanding should have its proper measure of discipline. With regard to boys and adolescents, therefore, or those who cannot understand the seriousness of the penalty of excommunication, whenever such as these are delinquent let them be subjected to severe fasts or…” quote by Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/benedict-of-nursia-29376_age_every-age-and-degree-of-understanding-sh_383549.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/benedict-of-nursia-29376_age_every-age-and-degree-of-understanding-sh_383549.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/257/benedict-of-nursia-29376_age_every-age-and-degree-of-understanding-sh_383549.png) > “Every age and degree of understanding should have its proper measure of discipline. With regard to boys and adolescents, therefore, or those who cannot understand the seriousness of the penalty of excommunication, whenever such as these are delinquent let them be subjected to severe fasts or brought to terms by harsh beatings, that they may be cured.” [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Discipline must match a person's maturity; harsher measures for those who cannot grasp consequences **In simple terms:** Tailor discipline to age and understanding Key Takeaway Apply appropriate discipline based on capacity Themes authority discipline education Mood serious reflective Type ethical historical When to use this quote - school discipline - parenting - juvenile justice - religious training Key Concepts Pedagogy Moral development Punishment Questions to Reflect On - How can discipline be firm yet compassionate? - What alternatives exist to physical punishment? A Different Perspective Harsh punishments can cause trauma and resentment ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Delinquents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delinquents/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Excommunication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excommunication/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Penalties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/penalties/) [Seriousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seriousness/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) ## Related quotes > [We must understand that the highest form of freedom carries with it the greatest measure of discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-must-understand-that-the-highest-form-of-freedom-carries-with-it/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [“In 1738, the Pope issued an encyclical banning all participation in Masonry under threat of excommunication.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-wasserman/in-1738-the-pope-issued-an-encyclical-banning-all-participation-in/) [James Wasserman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-wasserman/) > [“Bad sleepers! 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If they decide they don't want to be Catholic anymore and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ninian-smart/to-put-it-a-little-crudely-these-days-nobody-is-afraid-of/) [Ninian Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ninian-smart/) ## More by Benedict of Nursia > [ Girded with faith and the performance of good works, let us follow in his \[Jesus\] paths by the guidance of the Gospel. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/girded-with-faith-and-the-performance-of-good-works-let-us-follow-in/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [He who has ears for hearing, let him listen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/he-who-has-ears-for-hearing-let-him-listen/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [Be careful to be gentle, lest in removing the rust, you break the whole instrument.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/be-careful-to-be-gentle-lest-in-removing-the-rust-you-break-the-whole/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [Before all, and above all, attention shall be paid to the care of the sick, so that they shall be served as if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/before-all-and-above-all-attention-shall-be-paid-to-the-care-of-the/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [It is useless to subdue the flesh by abstinence, unless one gives up his irregular life, and abandons vices which defile his soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/it-is-useless-to-subdue-the-flesh-by-abstinence-unless-one-gives-up/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [There is nothing better to display the truth in an excellent light, than a clear and simple statement of facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/there-is-nothing-better-to-display-the-truth-in-an-excellent-light/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [Whenever you begin any good work you should first of all make a most pressing appeal to Christ our Lord to bring it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/whenever-you-begin-any-good-work-you-should-first-of-all-make-a-most/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [Idleness is the enemy of the soul; and therefore the brethren ought to be employed in manual labor at certain times, at others, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/idleness-is-the-enemy-of-the-soul-and-therefore-the-brethren-ought-to/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [Run while you have the light of life!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/run-while-you-have-the-light-of-life/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [Listen carefully, my child, to your master's precepts, and incline the ear of your heart. Receive willingly and carry out effectively your loving father's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/listen-carefully-my-child-to-your-master-s-precepts-and-incline-the/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [He who labors as he prays lifts his heart to God with his hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/he-who-labors-as-he-prays-lifts-his-heart-to-god-with-his-hands/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [Then are they truly monks when they live by the labor of their hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/then-are-they-truly-monks-when-they-live-by-the-labor-of-their-hands/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [Idleness is an enemy of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/idleness-is-an-enemy-of-the-soul/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/the-first-step-of-humility-is-unhesitating-obedience-which-comes/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) > [To attribute to God, and not to self, whatever good one sees in oneself; but to recognize always that the evil is one's own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-of-nursia/to-attribute-to-god-and-not-to-self-whatever-good-one-sees-in-oneself/) [Benedict of Nursia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) [Explore all 18 Benedict of Nursia quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-of-nursia/) ## More Age quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. 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