The Upbringing of Children

far less make amends. This would be too damaging to their prestige. This is why we find innumerable people ready to bear witness to the fault of others but who cannot or will not acknowledge their shortcomings. It is all too easy to recount anecdotes about the acknowledgement of truth by Islamic personalities of bygone days because telling such tales does not detract from one’s own moral standing. But when it comes to making an avowal of one’s errors, that is a very different matter because it shows up one’s personality in an unattractive light. Thus, a man who successfully projects another’s acknowledgement of the truth is a total failure when acknowledging his own mistakes. This is mainly why people formulate principles but do not act upon them. They feel that in acting upon principles, their interests are harmed. The ego comes under attack, much unpleasantness ensues. This is undoubtedly a challenging task. However, creating an atmosphere at home that suggests that there can be no compromise on principles is the only effective way to train children. Suppose you do not put principles into practice in your private and public life. In that case, nothing can prevent your children from receiving bad influences— even if you keep reciting the Quran day and night and even send them to the most prestigious Islamic schools for their education.