Mr Cobb would acquaint him, that when he was his age, his father thought no more of giving him a parental kick, or a box on the ears, or a cuff on the head, or some little admonition of that sort, than he did of any other ordinary duty of life; and he would further remark, with looks of great significance, that but for this judicious bringing up, he might have never been the man he was at that present speaking; which was probable enough, as he was, beyond all question, the dullest dog of the party.

Summary

The quote suggests that Mr Cobb believes in the importance of strict discipline and physical punishment in a child's upbringing. He shares a personal anecdote, explaining that when he was young, his father did not hesitate to physically reprimand or admonish him as it was considered a normal part of parenting. Mr Cobb then emphasizes the impact of this strict upbringing on his own character, implying that without it, he may not have achieved his current level of success. The quote ultimately hints at Mr Cobb's belief that tough parenting methods contribute to one's personal development and abilities, despite his own lackluster achievements.

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