This weakness, for a weakness it
is, though the epithet amiable may be tacked to it, a reasonable man
must steel himself against; for the absurd duty, too often inculcated,
of obeying a parent only on account of his being a parent, shackles
the mind, and prepares it for a slavish submission to any power but
reason.
* Dr. Johnson makes the same observation.
I distinguish between the natural and accidental duty due to
parents.
The parent who sedulously endeavours to form the heart and enlarge
the understanding of his child, has given that dignity to the
discharge of a duty, common to the whole animal world, that only
reason can give. This is the parental affection of humanity, and
leaves instinctive natural affection far behind. Such a parent
acquires all the rights of the most sacred friendship, and his advice,
even when his child is advanced in life, demands serious
consideration.
With respect to marriage, though after one and twenty a parent seems
to have no right to withhold his consent on any account; yet twenty
years of solicitude call for a return, and the son ought, at least, to
promise not to marry for two or three years, should the object of
his choice not entirely meet with the approbation of his first friend.
But, respect for parents is, generally speaking, a much more
debasing principle; it is only a selfish respect for property. The
father who is blindly obeyed, is obeyed from sheer weakness, or from
motives that degrade the human character.
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