Not all people are scoundrels!

“Not all people are scoundrels!” said a man who entered the gas chamber with children to the Nazis.

Janusz Korczak. Polish educator, writer, and doctor. He refused to save his own life three times.
The first time was when Janusz decided not to emigrate before Poland was occupied, so as not to abandon the Orphans’ Home to its fate on the eve of the war with the Nazis.
The second time was when he refused to escape from the Warsaw Ghetto.
And the third time, when all the inhabitants of the Orphans’ Home had already boarded the train car heading to the camp, a Nazi SS officer approached Korczak and asked:
“Did you write King Matiusz?” I read that book as a child. It’s a good book. You are free to go.
” “And the children?
” “The children will go. But you can leave the car.
” “You’re wrong. I can’t.” Not all people are scoundrels.
A few days later, at the Treblinka concentration camp, Korczak, along with his children, entered the gas chamber. On the way to death, Korczak held his two youngest children in his arms and told a story to the unsuspecting little ones.

In principle, you don’t need to know anything else about Korczak. And you can read the 10 commandments this amazing man recommended for raising children:

Don’t be afraid to love. Love should be genuine, sincere, and unconditional. It gives children confidence and the understanding that they are important and loved.
Be honest with your children. Never hide the truth from them, even if it hurts. The truth makes people strong, and children need to understand that the world isn’t always fair.
Listen to your children. Everyone has the right to be heard. Respecting a child’s opinion is important for the development of their personality and self-esteem.
Teach by example. Education isn’t limited to words, but also to actions. Children learn more by observing adults’ behavior than by their instructions.
Don’t punish, explain. Punishments can cause irreparable harm to a child’s inner world. Instead, explain the reasons for your actions and deeds so that children understand the importance of choice.
Be patient. Children teach us patience. Parenting takes time and effort, but the results will be rewarded many times over in the future.
Encourage creativity. Children need to be able to express their feelings and ideas. Their imagination is not only a source of entertainment but also a channel for self-expression.
Don’t deprive children of freedom. Give them the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them. Freedom allows children to develop independence and responsibility.
Recognize and respect each child’s uniqueness. All children are different, and each has the right to be themselves. Don’t try to crush their individuality, but support them on their journey of self-discovery.
Teach them to care for others. The most important education is to teach children to care for those around them and to think about others, not just themselves.
These principles, developed by Janusz Korczak, became the foundation of his educational practice, which saved and strengthened the souls of the children he guided through all the trials of life and death. Unfortunately, many did not have time to understand them, but for those who did, they became a true guide to life.

Who could be a worthy successor to his work? Who could stand up to a cruel world with the same determination and say, “Not all people are scoundrels!”—and thus protect children, as Janusz Korczak did? Perhaps this is a question that will never have a simple answer. But his principles live on, even if not all of us are willing to follow them to the end.