Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/325

Rh cherish the fruit of their own bodies: so far is it from them to destroy the same. And yet, notwithstanding her corruption and depravation in this behalf: Like as in mines, the gold (although it be mixed with much clay, and furred all over with earth) shineth and glittereth through the same, and is to be seen afar off; even so nature, amid the most depravate manners and corrupt passions that we have, sheweth a certain love and tender affection to little ones. To conclude, whereas the poor many times make no care at all to nourish and rear up their children, it is for nothing else but because they fear lest having not so good bringing up nor so civil education as they ought, they should prove servile in behaviour, untaught, unmannerly, rude, and void of all good parts; and judging (as they do) poverty to be the extremity of all miseries that can befall to man, their heart will not serve them to leave unto their children this hereditary calamity, as a most grievous and dangerous disease.