A quote from my Dad: some words of wisdom and value.
"When the Superior Man assumes the role of Father he must remember that everything he found good before, must be shared with his children. Those things which he found to destroy human heartedness, he must shield from his children. When he learns new things, after becoming a father, these things belong to his children as well. Also, he must teach his children of the old and the new things of his knowledge. And when his children have grown to respect and obey him, if he has made his giving easy to receive, they will then be free. This is how a Superior man acts when he becomes a father"
Hsi-Te-En 1989 ( H. Grant Heaton)
Dear Grant,
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for sharing this gem of wisdom. Although I am unfamiliar with the source, it sounds like traditional Asian philosophy. A favorite text of mine, the Tao Te Ching, addresses how the Tao supports loving parent- child relationships, including responding without judgment, emulating natural ways, and balancing taking action and flowing with events.
As I read your comments, it makes me want to be a better Father, so I can pass on, without judgement, anything that I have learned, that I can share with my children.
What other great parenting advice do you have to share? This one was amazing!
Hsi-Te-En was the chinese name for my Dad who wrote this. Hsiteen. He would often
ReplyDeletewrite in this ( Hsi-Te-En) pen name. Do not remember the source but i did read about where he got it from but have forgotten. He was doing work on his PHD in chinese literature and philosophy.