Erasmus, painted here by Hans Holbein, wrote:

“Fear is of no avail in education. Love must be the first influence, followed and completed by a trustful and affectionate respect, which compels obedience far more surely than dread can ever do. Masters conscious of their own incompetence are generally the worst floggers. They cannot teach, so they beat.”

Sound words. We might not beat much these days, but the most draconian forms of punishment available to us are not as effective as gentleness.

Or, as my granny used to say: “You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.”