SAY of him what you please, but I know my child's failings.

你想说他什么尽管说罢，但是我知道我孩子的短处。

I do not love him because he is good, but because he is my little child.

我爱他并不因为他好，只是因为他是我的小小的孩子。

How should you know how dear he can be when you try to weigh his merits¹ against his faults?

你如果把他的好处与坏处两两相权一下，恐怕你就会知道他是如何的可爱罢？

When I must punish him he becomes all the more a part of my being.

当我必须责罚他的时候，他更成为我的生命的一部分了。

When I cause his tears to come my heart weeps with him.

当我使他眼泪流出时，我的心也和他同哭了。

I alone have a right to blame and punish, for he only may chastise² who loves.

只有我才有权去骂他，去责罚他，因为只有热爱人的才可以惩戒人。