Innocence implies a natural harmlessness, openness and pure intentions which are unsullied by ulterior motives. The state of innocence has less to do with age than attitude; innocence springs from a heart which remains open to joy and wonder. Innocence, when guided by a firm faith in what is right, is of course ideal. Naivete unanchored by an ability to discern right from wrong, on the other hand, is not.
The hallmark of innocence is a willingness to treat all creatures with compassion and respect, if only for their humanity, if nothing else.
Those who possess a pure heart are best guided by their instincts and intuition. Thinking too much can sever links with the guidance of the heart: namely, a clear intuition and strong guiding instincts.
Be wary, my dears, of courses of action which require too much cleverness.
The key to wholeness is creating
with the instincts, not in repressing them.