Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/156

 Let your  whole  external  demeanor  give evidence of  your  respect  for  your  father  and mother. Even if  clouds  obscure  the  sun,  I mean  if  real  and  manifest  faults  on  the  part of your  parents  lessen  the  brightness  of  their dignity, search  for,  and  behold  the  sun through the  clouds;  namely,  in  spite  of  your parents' failings,  remember  their  position  of authority. God did  not  say  in  the  fourth commandment: "Honor  a  good  father,  a good  mother,"  but  simply:  "Honor  thy father  and  thy  mother."

3. In  the  preceding  chapter  I  quoted  an example  of  childlike  respect  for  parents which was  afforded  by  an  official  in  a  very high position. I will  now  give  you  another example.

The Blessed  Thomas  More,  the  chancellor  of  England,  and  consequently  the  highest personage  in  the  realm  after  the  king, kept his  aged  father  always  with  him  in  his own house,  and  invariably  gave  him  the place of  honor. Nor did  he  ever  go  from home in  order  to  attend  to  the  business  of  the State without  first  asking  on  his  knees  for his father's  blessing,  and  kissing  the  old man's hand.

4. Again  I  say,  love  your  father  and  mother, honor them  both  in  heart  and  deed. Prove your dutiful  affection  by  never  causing  grief to your  parents,  but  by  being  always  to  them a source  of  satisfaction. Imitate in  this  way the youthful  Tobias,  who  was  called  by  his