When we teach our children to be good, to be gentle, to be forgiving (all these are attributes of God), to be generous, to love their follow men, to regard this present age as nothing, we instill virtue in their souls, and reveal the image of God within them.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of instilling virtuous qualities in children as a reflection of divine attributes.
Saint John Chrysostom highlights the role of education in shaping children's character. By teaching virtues such as goodness, gentleness, forgiveness, generosity, and love, we not only nurture their personal development but also reveal the essence of divinity that exists within them. This approach encourages a higher understanding of ethics and morality, fostering a generation that values spiritual and moral integrity over materialism.
In practice
In a speech at a parenting conference.
No one has ever been accused for not providing ornaments, but for those who neglect their neighbour a hell awaits with an inextinguishable fire and torment in the company of the demons. Do not, therefore, adorn the church and ignore your afflicted brother, for he is the most precious temple of all.
It is simply impossible to lead, without the aid of prayer, a virtuous life.
Abba Moses asked Abba Sylvanus, Can a person lay a new foundation every day? The old man replied, If you work hard, you can lay a new foundation every moment. Abba Pimen said, To throw yourself before God, not to measure your progress, to leave behind all self-will; these are the instruments for the work of the soul. The desire to rule is the mother of heresies.
I hear no one boast, that he hath a knowledge of the Scriptures, but that he owneth a Bible written in golden characters. And tell me then, what profiteth this? The Holy Scriptures were not given to us that we should enclose them in books, but that we should engrave them upon our hearts.
Prayer should be the means by which I, at all times, receive all that I need, and, for this reason, be my daily refuge, my daily consolation, my daily joy, my source of rich and inexhaustible joy in life.
Feeding the hungry is a greater work than raising the dead
What could be more important than equipping the next generation with the character and competence they need to become successful
To endure is the first thing that a child ought to learn, and that which he will have the most need to know.
If you take away the gift of reading, you create the gift of listening.
Throw aside your scriptures in the Ganga and teach the people first the means of procuring their food and clothing, and then you will find time to read to them the scriptures.
I never get any protests from children. All you get are giggles of mirth and squirms of delight. I know what children like.
I'd be satisfied just coaching in high school. I turned down a number of colleges when I was teaching in South Bend, Indiana, before I went into the service. I honestly believe that if I hadn't enlisted in the service, I would never have left high school teaching. I'm sure I would have never left.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.