If the agency of the mother in forming the character of her children is, in truth, so considerable, as I think it - if she does so much toward making her son what she would wish him to be - how essential is it that she should be fitted for the beneficial performance of these important duties.
Interpretation
A mother's influence is crucial in shaping her children's character, making her preparation for this role essential.
John Marshall emphasizes the significant role that a mother plays in the development of her children's character. He argues that if a mother has such a strong impact on who her children become, it is vital for her to be well-prepared and capable in her responsibilities to nurture them effectively.
In practice
During a parenting workshop, to illustrate the importance of a mother's role, I shared this quote.
The particular phraseology of the Constitution of the United States confirms and strengthens the principle, supposed to be essential to all written constitutions, that a law repugnant to the Constitution is void; and that courts, as well as other departments, are bound by that instrument.
A corporation is an artificial being, invisible, intangible, and existing only in contemplation of law.
The constitution controls any legislative act repugnant to it.
The constitution is either a superior paramount law, unchangeable by ordinary means, or it is on a level with ordinary legislative acts, alterable when the legislature shall please to alter it. It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is. This is the very essence of judicial duty.
The federal government is acknowledged by all to be one of enumerated powers. The principle, that it can exercise only the powers granted to it . . . is now universally admitted.
The government of the United States has been emphatically termed a government of laws, and not of men. It will certainly cease to deserve this high appellation, if the laws furnish no remedy for the violation of a vested legal right.
Becoming a father, I think it inevitably changes your perspective of life. I don't get nearly enough sleep. And the simplest things in life are completely satisfying. I find you don't have to do as much, like you don't go on as many outings.
It is from God that parents receive their children, and it is to God that they should lead them.
We would not have been a successful family without my father and stepfather, who were working-class men with better dreams for their children. We just wore them out.
One of the most important gifts a parent can give a child is the gift of accepting that child's uniqueness.
The central struggle of parenthood is to let our hopes for our children outweigh our fears.
It's one thing for a father to say, 'Oh, my son is great.' But to have others say it - that's the true reward. Robbie's one of the smartest people I know. He's made such fantastic movies.
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