What Is "The Educator" Reading?

First time I saw the new sculpture of Principal Herman H. Sorin reading to his daughter at the Ocean City Library, I wondered, "What story are they reading?"

Well, it's not a story, it's a poem, "Children Learn What they Live," by Dorothy Law Nolte. Kimberly Ann Phillips, granddaughter of Herman and Eunice Sorin, read the poem to the crowd gathered for the dedication of the sculpture, "The Educator," at the library last week. Here it is:

Children Learn What They Live

By Dorothy Law Nolte

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.

If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.

If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.

If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.

If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.

If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.

If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.