Compromise, while at times morally necessary or at least justifiable, is more often only the first permission for a person (or society) to begin a long downhill descent.
Dennis PragerRead
From their teenage years on, children are considerably more capable of causing parents unhappiness than bringing them happiness. That is one reason parents who rely on their children for happiness make both their children and themselves miserable.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Parents should not depend on their children for happiness, as this can lead to unhappiness for both parties.
This quote highlights the complex dynamics between parents and their teenage children, emphasizing that children often have the capacity to create distress for their parents as they grow into adolescence. It suggests that parents who place the burden of their happiness on their children can end up feeling unfulfilled and unhappy, creating a cycle of misery that negatively affects both the parents and the children involved.
Themes
ParentsHappinessChildrenUnhappinessRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
In a talk on parenting at a community center, I could use this quote to illustrate the importance of independent happiness.
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To posit the existence of a Creator requires only reason. To posit the existence of a good God requires faith.
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Whatever one does for a living, three questions need to be confronted before it is too late: What really matters to me? What price do my spouse and kids pay for my career success? What price does my soul pay?
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