By St. Porphyrios of Kavsokalyva
The truth of Christ stresses that, if you praise a person, you make him
an egotist. The egotist is burdened, and is guided by the devil and the
evil spirit. Thus, growing up in the midst of egotism, the first act is
to deny God and to be an egotistical misfit in society.
When, therefore, we praise the child we create this 'super-ego', we choke them with egotism, and we cause a great evil. We make them more susceptible to diabolical things.
In all things, we should teach children to seek the help of God. To the child you shouldn't say: "You did it," or "you are most impressive," or "you are young," or "you are brave," or "you are perfect!" The child is not helped by this. You can, however, tell them to pray. Tell them: "My child, the gifts that you have, God gave to you. Pray that God gives you His grace." This is the perfect way.
When, therefore, we praise the child we create this 'super-ego', we choke them with egotism, and we cause a great evil. We make them more susceptible to diabolical things.
In all things, we should teach children to seek the help of God. To the child you shouldn't say: "You did it," or "you are most impressive," or "you are young," or "you are brave," or "you are perfect!" The child is not helped by this. You can, however, tell them to pray. Tell them: "My child, the gifts that you have, God gave to you. Pray that God gives you His grace." This is the perfect way.
