It is
there that every human being receives his best moral training, or
his worst; for it is there that he imbibes those principles of
conduct which endure through manhood, and cease only with life.
It is a common saying that "Manners make the man;" and there is a
second, that "Mind makes the man;" but truer than either is a
third, that "Home makes the man." For the home-training includes
not only manners and mind, but character. It is mainly in the
home that the heart is opened, the habits are formed, the
intellect is awakened, and character moulded for good or for evil.
From that source, be it pure or impure, issue the principles and
maxims that govern society. Law itself is but the reflex of
homes. The tiniest bits of opinion sown in the minds of children
in private life afterwards issue forth to the world, and become
its public opinion; for nations are gathered out of nurseries, and
they who hold the leading-strings of children may even exercise a
greater power than those who wield the reins of government. (1)
It is in the order of nature that domestic life should be
preparatory to social, and that the mind and character should
first be formed in the home. There the individuals who afterwards
form society are dealt with in detail, and fashioned one by one.
From the family they enter life, and advance from boyhood to
citizenship. Thus the home may be regarded as the most
influential school of civilisation.
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