38 Comments

This is a great list. For the younger guys, implement these. Many of these I set for myself in my early twenties. I am now 45. Married with eight children. Debt free, own two homes outright. And all on my single income. My wife has always stayed home. This is not to say it is easy. However, we have a blessed life, and that includes many heartbreaks, hardships and trials. You can do this, start where you are.

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can we have a laugh and have some fun occasionally as well?

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Occasionally. But no fornicating.

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How much of this do you?

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More interesting: what numbers do you think I don't do and why?

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Perhaps in regards to number 2, watching documentaries or some great films as an exemption to the no TV rule. In your case specifically, perhaps you do watch some media that may be relevant to your discussions.

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Sure. I love classic Westerns. Some older documentaries are also worthwhile. But I don't have a TV licence.

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your position on things seems hard line so difficult to see that easily co-existing with point 19

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Nobody said it was easy.

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Definitely nine: You have done videos in a car. Two: It's unavoidable, sometimes. Other people will want to watch telly, it can be on around other people's houses. Finally, one: because nearly all blokes do one of those three.

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Honestly, Brad, that was weak even for you: nine doesn't say don't OWN a car.

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I read this rule as, don’t do what everyone does and finance a 3 series because you think you need one to flex or keep up with everyone else. Obviously cheap transportation is required.

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Only few will be strong enough to be able follow these rules but those few will become powerful and rise above all others.

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Love the tag line.

This is very useful and digestible. Please consider building upon these by providing reasons for each. It will be more persuasive to those of us who disagree on a point or two.

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I assure you, I exceeded these, viz. did better on each. You are missing the most important matter. That is prayer. Spend at least 15 min. in Meditation, daily rosary, daily mass, daily adoration (15 min). These are goals. At least three of them. THE single most important aspect of Fatherhood and being a husband is your prayer: first your relationship with God.

Know your Faith. Be an example to your kids. Do not let your wife do all the educating (whether formal or informal), less so the schools. All the rest will fall in place. We fight powers and principalities, not flesh and blood. An hour a day of prayer is the minimum bar and goal. Wives / mothers actually need to pray less than their husbands: that is your first duty. Read Homily 20 on Ephesians by St. Christostom: what is required of men, for your bar is FAR higher than hers.

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There is a lot on prayer in the article that summarises Lacordaire's advice for men. Homily 20 is great. Thanks.

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Deadlifted 210kg at 78kg 5'9 the other week. The rush of seeing concrete and measurable progress, having been forced into a deload and seeming decline for 4 months prior is indescribable. Heavy exercise is incredibly helpful at building up a better work ethic academically and on the job, something I always struggled with.

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By no fornication, you mean no sex before marriage right? Thanks in advance Mr knowland, big help :)

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This is excellent advice for young men. Greatly needed in today's society

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Well 11. and 20. seem like being opposites in some way. For example, if you want to provide solely for the family, you should work on the side (this makes 11 & 20 congruent), but working second job will inevitably take away from home engagement. I say this because I would like to have second income but would be exhausted to be effective at home. I am still some time from making enough in salary to finance the whole family, that's why I'm wondering.

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One time-intensive job can actually eat into your life much more than multiple income streams combined.

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That is true, I actually know a guy who does exactly this. Thanks for the answer

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I take side jobs, and usually take my two oldest boys with me. Great teaching opportunity. Sometimes your time with the little ones can be short. But they remember your five minute arm wrestling sessions.

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Does 15 mins in the sauna count as my moderate cardio!?

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No, minimum 20 mins...

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Very wise

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Now do 50 tips for men in their 50’s. Looks like you only need to add 30 more….

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Any movie recommendations for young boys to teach about masculinity? I know you did a book list.

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I will do an article on this. Definitely not Top Gun.

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I've heard its bad. Mel Gibson has done a few that I would think make the list...which is maybe why he seems to either have been shunned by Hollywood or maybe left of his own accord. Devout catholic from what I have read.

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the only substack I'm attuned to. thank you, especially for the practical advice.

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Will check out Youtube channel Grjngo - Western Movies

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Great tips. Thank you.

I’d be interested in your take on similar advice for fathers. Having a son and a daughter I wonder what you’d say about raising the two of them in todays society? Having watched a lot of your work I have a rough idea but not one I could articulate very well.

Thanks again

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