As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
William ShakespeareRead
The voice of parents is the voice of gods, for to their children they are heaven's lieutenants.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Parents have significant influence over their children, akin to divine authority.
This quote by William Shakespeare suggests that the guidance and authority of parents hold immense power in the lives of their children. It elevates the role of parents to a divine status, indicating that their words and actions shape their children's values, beliefs, and futures, making them essential figures akin to heavenly representatives.
Themes
ParentsChildrenInfluenceAuthorityGuidance
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about family values, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of parental influence.
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I love my family, even as I critique their dysfunctionalities.
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Sometimes the strength of motherhood is greater than natural laws.
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We are a continuum. Just as we reach back to our ancestors for our fundamental values, so we, as guardians of that legacy, must reach ahead to our children and their children. And we do so with a sense of sacredness in that reaching.
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The word dysfunction has, I think, served its purpose and now has lost its meaning. Every family, like every person, is imperfect, after all. The idea that there is a family somewhere who functions, is an odd concept. In my youth I was running from my family to try to find out who I was-their influence distracted me. Now I see what a powerful hold they have, no matter what.
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Good parents give their children Roots and Wings. Roots to know where home is, wings to fly away and exercise what's been taught them.
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