What every father must teach his children

7 sentences that sum up the wisdom of the West

In Josef Piper: An Anthology (Ignatius, 1989), we read that ‘the wisdom of the West expresses the sum total of what “ought to” do in seven sentences’. These are useful anchor points for fathers looking to educate their children in virtue, i.e., help them be all they can be.

1. ‘Man, insofar as he realises his meaning, is someone who — in faith — opens himself by listening to God’s word, whenever he can perceive it.’

God is Truth, and faith is an intellectual act whose object is truth, as Aquinas said. When my teenagers were confirmed, the Bishop told them that 'truth is not a toy.' We don't fashion it; it fashions us.

2. ‘Man is true to himself only when he is stretching forth — in hope — toward a fulfilment that cannot be reached in his bodily existence.’

Success in life is not determined by success in this life. And nothing earthly can satisfy our desire for the infinite.

3. ‘The man who strives for fulfilment is someone who — in love (caritas) — partakes in the eternally affirmative power of the Creator himself and, with all the strength of his being, finds it good that God, the world and he himself exist.’

Existence is a gift, and a man must be grateful for it — and return it with interest. Despair is weakness.

4. ‘Man’s life is authentic only when he does not allow his vision of reality to be clouded by the yes or no of his own desire; on the contrary, his decision-making and action depend upon reality revealing itself to him. By his willingness to live the truth, he shows himself to be prudent.’

Knowledge isn’t just about books. It’s about what makes or breaks us in our daily affairs. What should a man seek or avoid?

5. ‘The good man is above all just, which means he understands how to be a companion. He possesses the art of living with others in such a way that he gives to each what is rightfully his.’

The good man gives everyone exactly what he owes them. And this equality of proportion means he excels at social life.

6. ‘The man who is prudent and just knows that it is necessary to put himself on the line in order to realise the good in this world. He is ready — with courage — to accept loss and injuries for the sake of truth and justice.’

Truth tests us. It must be preferred to the comfortable lie that eventually corrupts. A man must not tolerate harbouring a lie within his own soul.

7. ‘To the authenticity of man belongs the virtue of temperance or self-discipline that protects him from the self-destruction of pleasure seeking.’

A strong man rules his appetites, but a weak man is ruined by them. This is especially true regarding the sex and food.

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