The Loeb-Leopold case - The Clarence Darrow Collection

The Loeb-Leopold Case
training. The child is gradually taught, and habits
are built up. These habits are supposed to be
strong enough so that they will form inhibitions
against conduct when the emotions come in conflict
with the duties of life.
Dr. Singer and Dr. Church admitted exactly what
I am saying now. The child of himself knows noth-
ing about right and wrong, and the teachings built
up give him habits, so he will be able to control cer-
tain instincts that surge upon him, and which surge
upon everyone who lives. If the instinct is strong
enough and the habit weak enough, the habit goes
down before it. His conduct depends upon the rel-
ative strength of the instinct and the habit that has
been built up.
Education means fixing these habits so deeply in
the life of man that they stand him in stead when he
needs them to keep him in the path — and that is
all it does mean. Suppose one sees a thousand-dollar
bill and nobody present. He may have the impulse
to take it. If he does not take it, it will be because
his emotional nature revolts at it, through habit and
through training. If the emotional nature does not
revolt at it he will do it. That is why people do
not commit what we call crime; that, and caution.
All education means is the building of habits so that
certain conduct revolts you and stops you, saves
you; but without an emotional nature you cannot
do that. Some are born practically without it.
On Sunday, June ist, before any of the friends
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