--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Let me once more assert that Mr Malison…" description: "\"“Let me once more assert that Mr Malison was not a bad man. The misfortune was, that his notion of right fell in with his natural fierceness; and that,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17e/george-macdonald-295_bad-man_let-me-once-more-assert-that-mr-malison_1369630.jpg" --- # Let me once more assert that Mr Malison was not a bad man… ![“Let me once more assert that Mr Malison was not a bad man. The misfortune was, that his notion of right fell in with his natural fierceness; and that, in aggravation of the too common feeling with which he had commenced his relations with his pupils, namely, that they were not only the natural…” quote by George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17e/george-macdonald-295_bad-man_let-me-once-more-assert-that-mr-malison_1369630.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17e/george-macdonald-295_bad-man_let-me-once-more-assert-that-mr-malison_1369630.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17e/george-macdonald-295_bad-man_let-me-once-more-assert-that-mr-malison_1369630.jpg) > ““Let me once more assert that Mr Malison was not a bad man. The misfortune was, that his notion of right fell in with his natural fierceness; and that, in aggravation of the too common feeling with which he had commenced his relations with his pupils, namely, that they were not only the natural enemies of the master, but therefore of all law, theology had come in and taught him that they were in their own nature bad — with a badness for which the only set-off he knew or could introduce was blows. Independently of any remedial quality that might be in them, these blows were an embodiment of justice; for "every sin," as the catechism teaches, "deserveth God's wrath and curse both in this life and that which is to come." The master therefore was only a co-worker with God in every pandy he inflicted on his pupils. I do not mean that he reasoned thus, but that such-like were the principles he had to act upon.”” [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A harsh teacher rationalizes cruelty as divine justice, believing punishment is moral. **In simple terms:** He sees harsh discipline as rightful justice. Key Takeaway Question the morality of punitive authority. Themes authority justice education morality violence Mood somber critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - classroom discipline - parental guidance - legal sentencing Key Concepts theodicy discipline ethical relativism Questions to Reflect On - What alternatives exist to punitive teaching? - How does belief in divine justice affect moral choices? 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The misfortune was, that his notion of right fell in with his natural fierceness; and that, in aggravation of the too common feeling with which he had commenced his relations with his pupils, namely, that they were not only the natural enemies of the master, but therefore of all law, theology had come in and taught him that they were in their own nature bad — with a badness for which the only set-off he knew or could introduce was blows. Independently of any remedial quality that might be in them, these blows were an embodiment of justice; for \"every sin,\" as the catechism teaches, \"deserveth God's wrath and curse both in this life and that which is to come.\" The master therefore was only a co-worker with God in every pandy he inflicted on his pupils. 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