Prov 13:24

“Then the provident guide of the soul has regard to this, that he may circumscribe her pleasures and cut off her desires, that she may not delight herself in them. That father's corrections are profitable, who spares not the rod, that he may render his son's soul obedient to salutary precepts. For he visits with a rod, as we read, I will visit their offences with the rod. And so he who smites the soul of the Israelites with a rod on the cheek, by this Divine punishment instructs her in the discipline of patience. But no man need despair who is chastised and corrected, for he who loveth his son chastiseth him. Let no man therefore despair of a remedy.”

“"He that spares the rod hates his son." For, give us a person who with right faith and true understanding can say with all the energy of his heart, "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" For such a person there is no need of the terror of hell, to say nothing of temporal punishments or imperial laws, seeing that with him it is so indispensable a blessing to cleave to the Lord that he not only dreads being parted from that happiness as a heavy punishment but can scarcely even bear delay in its attainment. But yet, before the good sons can say they have "a desire to depart, and to be with Christ," many must first be recalled to their Lord by the stripes of temporal scourging, like evil servants, and in some degree like good-for-nothing fugitives.”

“Betimes. God has always treated his friends in this manner, to preserve them from sin, or to increase their reward. (Calmet) Bible Text & Cross-references: 1 A wise son heareth the doctrine of his father: but he that is a scorner, heareth not when he is reproved. 2 Of the fruit of his own mouth shall a man be filled with good things: but the soul of transgressors is wicked. 3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soul: but he that hath no guard on his speech shall meet with evils. 4 The sluggard willeth and willeth not: but the soul of them that work, shall be made fat. 5 The just shall hate a lying word: but the wicked confoundeth, and shall be confounded. 6 Justice keepeth the way of the innocent: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. 7 One is as it were rich, when he hath nothing: and another is as it were poor, when he hath great riches. 8 The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but he that is poor, beareth not reprehension. 9 The light of the just giveth joy: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 10 Among the proud there are always contentions: but they that do all things with counsel, are ruled by wisdom. 11 Substance got in haste shall be diminished: but that which by little and little is gathered with the hand, shall increase. 12 Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul: desire when it cometh, is a tree of life. 13 Whosoever speaketh ill of any thing, bindeth himself for the time to come: but he that feareth the commandment, shall dwell in peace. Deceitful souls go astray in sins: the just are merciful, and shew mercy. 14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, that he may decline from the ruin of death. 15 Good instruction shall give grace: in the way of scorners is a deep pit. 16 The prudent man doth all things with counsel: but he that is a fool, layeth open his folly. 17 The messenger of the wicked shall fall into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. 18 Poverty and shame to him that refuseth instruction: but he that yieldeth to reproof shall be glorified. 19 The desire that is accomplished, delighteth the soul: fools hate them that flee from evil things. 20 He that walketh with the wise, shall be wise: a friend of fools shall become like to them. 21 Evil pursueth sinners: and to the just good shall be repaid. 22 The good man leaveth heirs, sons, and grandsons: and the substance of the sinner is kept for the just. 23 Much food is in the tillage of fathers: but for others it is gathered without judgment. 24 *He that spareth the rod, hateth his son: but he that loveth him, correcteth him betimes. 25 The just eateth and filleth his soul: but the belly of the wicked is never to be filled.”

“24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son, And he who loveth him visits him early with correction. The paedagogic rule of God, Pro 3:12, avails also for men, Pro 23:13., Pro 29:15. The rod represents here the means of punishment, the patria potestas. He who spareth or avoideth this, and who does this even from love, has yet no true right love for his son; he who loveth him correcteth him early. With ἐπιμελῶς παιδεύει of the lxx (cf. Sir. 30:1, ἐνδελεχήσει μάστιγας) the thought is in general indicated, but the expression is not explained. Many erroneously regard the suffix of שׁחרו as referring to the object immediately following (de Dieu, Ewald, Bertheau, Zckler); Hitzig, on the contrary, rightly remarks, that in this case we should expect the words to be, after Pro 5:22 (cf. Exo 2:6), את־המּוּסר. He himself, without any necessity, takes שׁחר in the sense of the Arab. skhar, compescere. Hofmann (Schriftbew. ii. 2. 402) is right in saying that "שׁחר is connected with a double accusative as elsewhere קדּם occurs; and the meaning is, that one ought much more to anticipate correction than restrain it where it is necessary." שׁחר means to go out early to anything, according to which a Greek rendering is ὀρθρίζει (Venet. ὀρθριεῖ) αὐτῷ παιδείαν: maturat ei castigationem = mature eum castigat (Fl.). שׁחר does not denote the early morning of the day (as Rashi, לבקרים), but the morning of life (as Euchel, בשׁחר ימיו). "The earlier the fruit, the better the training." A father who truly wishes well to his son keeps him betimes under strict discipline, to give him while he is yet capable of being influenced the right direction, and to allow no errors to root themselves in him; but he who is indulgent toward his child when he ought to be strict, acts as if he really wished his ruin.”

“You fathers, educate your children in the Lord, bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and teach them such trades as are agreeable and suitable to the Lord, lest they by such opportunity become extravagant and continue without punishment from their parents, and so become slack before their time and go astray from that which is good. Therefore do not be afraid to reprove them and to teach them wisdom with severity. For your corrections will not kill them but rather preserve them.… [Thus Solomon says,] "He that spares his rod hates his son," and afterwards, "Beat his sides while he is an infant, lest he be hardened and disobey you." He, therefore, who neglects to admonish and instruct his own son, hates his own child. Teach, therefore, your children the word of the Lord. Bring them under with cutting stripes, and make them subject from infancy, teaching them the holy Scriptures, which are Christian and divine, and delivering to them every sacred writing, "not giving them such liberty that they get the mastery" and act against your opinion. Do not permit them to club together with peer groups. For so they will be turned to disorderly ways and will fall into fornication. And if this happens by the carelessness of their parents, those who gave them birth will be guilty of their souls. For if the offending children get into the company of debauched persons by the negligence of those who gave them life, they will not be punished alone by themselves, but their parents also will be condemned on their account. For this cause, endeavor at the time when they are of an age fit for marriage, to join them in wedlock and settle them together, lest in the heat and fervor of their age their course of life become dissolute and you be required to give an account by the Lord God in the day of judgment. .”