"The most insidious of the many kinds of power is the power to define happiness. It is the dream of merchants, despots, managers, and philosophers, because whoever defines happiness can control the organization and the actions of other men: he not only assigns aspirations and desires, he constructs the system of morals by which the means of achieving happiness is judged." from "The Oppressed Middle", by Earl Shorris, quoted in the book below.

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

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

The whole book is available online so you don't have spend any FRN's and wait for the shipment. It might take a little while to read, but let me know what you all think when finished.

Shall we proceed with our edifying discussion regarding the two proverbs?

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

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."

Whether the rod be literal or figurative would be a great study in itself, though I do admit it may be somewhat time-consuming. So let us just consider here that the rod is literal as tradition teaches.

With that said, I'd like to know what this rod is and what it can be. Would it have to be a tree branch? Can it be a steel pipe? Some sort of plastic apparatus? How long/thick?

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

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."

I'd like to stay focused on the 2 proverbs that RV listed if we can, thanks.

Miguel provides a Strong's definition for rod so we can go from here.

I do have some questions if you don't mind.

What is the rod?

Who is the child?

And, are these proverbs referring to father, mother, and their own children?

Come on fellas, can I give my infant 100 lashes til he's black and blue? Can I knock some sense into Billy Graham with 100 big ones too? Can I scourge a son in the faith?

Ok, who is the beater and who is the beatee? Can I fashion a whip and start scourging Billy Graham and all the local heretical self-professed pastors?