Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever.
Samuel SmilesRead
So much does the moral health depend upon the moral atmosphere that is breathed, and so great is the influence daily exercised by parents over their children by living a life before their eyes, that perhaps the best system of parental instruction might be summed up in these two words: 'Improve thyself.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
The moral environment created by parents significantly impacts their children's character development.
Samuel Smiles emphasizes the crucial role of parental example in shaping the moral character of children. He suggests that parents serve as the primary educators by embodying virtuous behavior, and that their personal commitment to self-improvement serves as the most effective form of moral instruction for their offspring.
Themes
ParentingMoral DevelopmentSelf-ImprovementExampleEducation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a parenting workshop to highlight the importance of leading by example.
More from Samuel Smiles
All quotes →Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.
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The career of a great man remains an enduring monument of human energy. The man dies and disappears, but his thoughts and acts survive and leave an indelible stamp upon his race.
Samuel SmilesRead
Wisdom and understanding can only become the possession of individual men by travelling the old road of observation, attention, perseverance, and industry.
Samuel SmilesRead
An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality; our desires being often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing.
Samuel SmilesRead
If we opened our minds to enjoyment, we might find tranquil pleasures spread about us on every side. We might live with the angels that visit us on every sunbeam, and sit with the fairies who wait on every flower.
Samuel SmilesRead
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