proverb · Words worth keeping
We pass our principles to our children by what we tolerate.
We pass our principles to our children by what we tolerate.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Principles passed to children through what is tolerated gives adult responses a teaching role. The saying asks what accepted conduct communicates.
What the words are saying
The image can encourage reflection without making every tolerated event an endorsement or predicting a child’s character. Adults may lack power to intervene, and children learn from many influences. A responsible application identifies a particular situation and possible response without assigning inherited guilt or demanding punishment.
Everyday example
A caregiver explains why a harmful remark is not acceptable while considering a proportionate, supportive response.
When to use it
Use it to discuss modelling values with capacity and context considered.
What it does not mean
No automatic transfer of character or guilt from inability to intervene is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 40; PDF page 13; collection label: Amish
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Amish