A story is told of Coleridge who had listened to a vehement argument by a visitor against religious instruction of the young. His caller concluded by stating his determination not to prejudice his children in any form of religion, but to allow them at maturity to choose for themselves. Coleridge made no immediate comment, but shortly afterwards asked his visitor if he would like to see his garden. Saying that he would, Coleridge led his guest to a strip of lawn overgrown with weeds. "Why this is no garden. It is nothing but a weed-patch." "Oh," replied Coleridge, "that is because it has not come to its age of discretion. The weeds you see have taken the opportunity to grow and I thought it unfair of me to prejudice the soil toward roses and strawberries."
"If you would stand well with a great mind, leave him with a favorable impression of yourself; if with a little mind, leave him with a favorable impression of himself."
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, poet, and philosopher, 21 Oct 1772-1834
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, poet, and philosopher, 21 Oct 1772-1834
Coleridge in 1795
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