为什么你眼里有了眼泪,我的孩子?
他们真是可怕,常常无谓地责备你!
你写字时墨水玷污了你的手和脸——这就是他们所以骂你龌龊的缘故么?
呵,呸!他们也敢因为圆圆的月儿用墨水涂了脸,便骂它龌龊么?
他们总要为了每一件小事去责备你,我的孩子。他们总是无谓地寻人错处。
你游戏时扯破了你的衣服——这就是他们所以说你不整洁的缘故么?
呵,呸!秋之晨从它的破碎的云衣中露出微笑,那么,他们要叫它什么呢?
他们对你说什么话,尽管可以不去理睬他,我的孩子。
他们把你做错的事长长地记了一笔账。
谁都知道你是十分喜欢糖果的——这就是他们所以称你做贪婪的缘故么?
呵,呸!我们是喜欢你的,那么,他们要叫我们什么呢?
Say of him what you please, but I know my child’s failings.
I do not love him because he is good, but because he is my little child.
How should you know how dear he can be when you try to weigh his merits against his faults?
When I must punish him he becomes all the more a part of my being.
When I cause his tears to come my heart weeps with him.
I alone have a right to blame and punish, for he only may chastise who loves.