Chapter 15 8. Emile is 12 years old: the eve of becoming an adult

If my method conforms to the order of nature, and if I make no mistakes in practice, then Emile can successfully pass the stage of sensibility and enter the stage of rational development. After going through this period again, Emile is an adult.But before entering the period of rational development, let us first review the road he traveled. Each stage of life has a specific standard of evaluation of perfection.We often say who is a "perfect adult". Based on this, I propose a new term, that is, a "perfect child".This statement may be relatively novel, but as long as it does not arouse the resentment of others, I will be content.

When I see a healthy, lively, strong and well-developed child standing in front of me, no matter whether I think about his present or his future, I feel an indescribable excitement in my heart. Now Emile is smart, full of vigor, and immersed in a carefree childhood. When he grows up, he can use his senses, reason and various abilities more freely. Whether I see him as a child or as a man, my heart is extremely happy.I felt that I was infected by his vitality, and my life was integrated with him, as if I had regained my youth that had been lost for many years. Suddenly, with a burst of bells, all good things disappeared.Emile's eyes lost their brilliance, and the smile on his face also subsided, and he stood there blankly.Suddenly, a man with a serious and gloomy expression grabbed his hand, said to him solemnly, "Come with me, boy," and took him away.

They entered a house and looked around, the room was full of books.That's right, it's a book!In the eyes of a child, there is nothing more dull and boring than a book. What a poor child!He was dragged away like this, without the slightest ability to resist.He looked back at the things that had brought him countless joys, and couldn't help but shed tears, but he didn't dare to cry out.He can only hold all the grievances in his heart and has no right to complain. Come to me, my carefree student, get away from that suffocating place and come to me to comfort me.Emile came towards me.When he was getting closer and closer to me, I was extremely happy, and at the same time I could feel his joy.

His friends are waiting for him here, and they can play games happily together.He firmly believes that I can bring him infinite good time here.He and I get along very well, and there is no situation where anyone depends on whom. He exudes vigor and vitality all over his body; his body, expression and various movements all reveal happiness and confidence; he is strong and strong, with steady steps and full of energy; Weak; air and sunlight stamped his body with the marks of man. The flame of lust has not been ignited in his heart, but at least he still retains the simplicity and innocence of his childhood; he still doesn't know what vanity and arrogance are, and he is cheerful and generous when dealing with others.

Although he has not yet formed too many concepts in his mind, the existing concepts are clear and definite; although his memory is full of blanks, he has mastered a lot of knowledge by experience; although his academic performance is not as good as other students. He is a child, but his understanding of nature is more thorough and profound than other children; although he does not have many words, his mind is full of wisdom; although he can only speak one language, he understands every word The meaning conveyed; although his eloquence is not as good as other children, his ability to handle affairs is much stronger than them.

With him, all conventions or customs do not exist.He will never allow yesterday's actions to affect today's choices; he will never conform to the rules, never bow to authority, and never superstitiously follow the example; everything he does and everything he says is his own interest. Therefore, you will not hear an outdated sentence from his mouth, nor will you see him imitating other people's behavior.Everything he said was his true thoughts, and everything he did was his own. He has some moral concepts, but these concepts are not the same as those in the adult world, but are related to his current situation, because he has not really integrated into social life.

So, even if he can understand what you're talking about about liberty, contract, or property, he doesn't understand what rights and duties really are. If you ask him to do something in a commanding tone, he will probably ignore you.However, if you say to him, "Please do me a favor, and I will help you next time you need it." Hearing you say that, he will immediately do what you ask. When he needs help, he turns to the first person he meets, no matter who that person is or what status he holds.Whether it is the king or the servants, everyone is equal in his eyes, and there is no distinction between high and low.

From the way he speaks to you, you can feel that there is no command element in his words, and he knows that you are not subservient to him or indebted to him.He knows full well that he is asking for help at this time, and he also knows that you will definitely reach out to him out of kindness. He expressed his request with a few simple answers. From his eyes, voice and expression, it can be judged that he is already ready for any kind of result. Whether you agree to him or reject him, he can Accept it.His performance shows that he neither dominates nor is he dominated by others. If you help him, he won't thank you, but will feel that he owes you; if you don't help him, he won't ask or yell, but just say, "How is this possible? "

Once he finds that he has a need, he will never avoid it.Some needs came with birth, and he was bound by them from the day he landed, but now he's used to it, and he can handle everything. For him, there is no clear boundary between games and work. Games are his work, and his work is games. He doesn't feel any difference between the two. All his actions are lively and interesting, bringing infinite laughter to people.Just by observing his behavior, we can see whether his mind is flexible and his knowledge is wide. What a heartwarming sight it would be to see a beautiful child with sparkling eyes, a calm expression, and a smile on his face, either concentrating on something or playing happily!

Although Emile was still a child when he was 12 years old, he already had the charm of a mature man, but his perfect state did not come at the cost of sacrificing the happiness of childhood. In him, perfection and happiness not only do not conflict, but go hand in hand.He has the wisdom that a child of this age should have, and at the same time fully enjoys the freedom that nature bestows on him. If an accident happened and Emile was fatally injured, and all the hopes I placed on him were all shattered, I would not be distraught because of his death, nor would I be saddened by the pain I had caused him. regret.

I would say to myself with a clear conscience: "Although his life was short, he spent a wonderful childhood. He enjoyed everything that nature bestowed on him, and I took nothing away from him."