There are determined opponents who will
draw the sword with strength and skill. Yet
the struggle can only add to the clear under-
standing, strengthening and wider spreading of
the idea. By this means it will not perish.
The only dangerous opponent of the movement
is the love of ease. He who tries to give his
pupils liberty must work, must work harder
and in strange ways. Pupils who vol-
untarily co-operate in the study of a favorite
subject, will ask their teacher many a question
with which he has not busied himself for a long
time, and with which he would never trouble
himself if everything were going in the old well
trodden path of the written "pensa" and the
strict following of the course of instruction.
138 The Way to the Heart of the Pupil

And these questions will change with the pupils,
the years and the progress of science. Thus the
teacher will be compelled to sacrifice many
hours of leisure in order to master his pro-
fession. Further, if, as Paulsen would like,
teachers were to convene for systematic lectures
on questions of general interest, such as the
history of politics, of philosophy, of natural
sciences and inventions, this would require still
greater sacrifice of time and effort.
Teachers who are generally interested in the
progress of their pupils will make this sacrifice
with perfect willingness. They know that this
greater burden of work will not only make them
richer in intellectual treasures, but will also
bring them nearer to the hearts of their pupils.
