Spare the rod spoil the child?

Question

I have seen this used as an arguement for spanking many times. Would someone please tell what page in the bible has this quote.

Answer 1

You're exactly right.  It's just another example of people mindlessly taking everything they read literally.  I do believe in it, as in the TRUE meaning - that we must teach our children right from wrong so that they aren't spoiled.

Answer 2

In Proverbs 23:13,14 it says the following:

"Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from h**l. "

Hope that is what you were looking for

Answer 3

Didn't you just answer your own question?  You said the quote as stated, doesn't exist.  Then you give bible cites. Seems to me, asked and answered.

Answer 4

my child is 6 and i have not ever spank her.  spanking is child abuse,

Answer 5

You're right, that quote is not in the Bible, it's just been repeated and passed down from generation to generation.  

What I find interesting is some people do use this quote as justification for spanking and they are not even religious or Christian.  I said some, not all.  

I answered a question similar to this a few days ago but either the question or my answer was deleted.  

Answer 6

it is an old adage that is based on bible verses. As in movies being based on a true story. It is based on it, but does not concern itself with accuracy

Answer 7

The phrase is taken directly from Hudibras, a mock heroic epic poem written by Samuel Butler in the 17th century.  The section that it comes from is here: http://www.exclassics.com/hudibras/hbii1...

"If matrimony and hanging go

By dest'ny, why not whipping too?                             840

What med'cine else can cure the fits

Of lovers when they lose their wits?

Love is a boy by poets stil'd;

Then spare the rod and spoil the child.

A Persian emp'ror whipp'd his grannam                         845

The sea, his mother VENUS came on;

And hence some rev'rend men approve

Of rosemary in making love.

As skilful coopers hoop their tubs

With Lydian and with Phrygian dubs,                           850

Why may not whipping have as good

A grace, perform'd in time and mood,

With comely movement, and by art,

Raise passion in a lady's heart?

It is an easier way to make                                   855

Love by, than that which many take.

Who would not rather suffer whipping,

Than swallow toasts of bits of ribbon?

Make wicked verses, treats, and faces,

And spell names over with beer-glasses                        860

Be under vows to hang and die

Love's sacrifice, and all a lie?"

The phrase as written, and often quoted, has nothing whatsoever to do with parenting, but more to do with courting & making love.  In it's original context, the 'child' is a metaphore for romantic love.  

Answer 8

The verbatim term "spare the rod, spoil the child" appears nowhere in the Bible. It was not coined until the 17th century, in a poem called Hudibras by Samuel Butler. He was actually speaking out against striking children in the poem, but basically stated that people interpret Proverbs 13:24 to say "spare the rod, spoil the child" when it never actually says that. Discipline does not necessarily mean striking or hitting. That is just closed-minded.

Answer 9

Using the so-called "rod of correction" can derail a child's sexual developement. Avoid it.

See: http://nospank.net/sexdngrs.htm

Answer 10

You are  right, it doesn't say hit the little rascal. If parents took their time to teach the little ones since their younger years about love and respect, you never have to be harsh on them. There's no bad children, but there are bad parents.