It is not what we know, but
what we apply, that makes or mars.
Obedience reduces friction and trains the children into habits of
efficiency. It is not only valuable in preserving the health of the
parents, but in increasing the child's earning capacity when the time
comes to labor in earnest.
Plato said that democracies are governed as well as they deserve to be.
Likewise, parents get as much obedience, respect, affection and love as
they deserve, and the three latter are largely dependent upon the
former. It would be difficult to overemphasize the importance of
obedience.
In nature we find that the animals teach their young how to live
independently as soon as they have the strength to care for themselves.
This is what parents should teach their children. This may cause the
mother pain, for many mothers like to keep their children helpless,
dependent and away from contact with the world as long as possible. Wise
mothers do not handicap their children thus. The best parents are those
who teach their children early how to make their own way.
Doubtless the greatest happiness is to be found in a congenial family,
where the parents understand and love each other and their children.
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