Changing always

The joys of parents are secret; and so are their grief and fears. They cannot utter the one; nor will they not utter the other. Children sweeten labors; but they make misfortunes bitterer. They increase the cares of life; but they mitigate the remembrance of death. The perpetuity by generation is common to beasts; but memory, merit, and noble works, are proper to men. And surely a man shall see the noblest works and foundations have proceeded from childless men; which have sought to express the images of their minds, where those of their bodies have failed. So the care of posterity is most in them, which have no posterity.

The difference in affection, of parents towards their several children, is many times unequal; and sometimes unworthy; especially in the mothers. A man no matter if he buyRS Gold or not shall see, where there is a house full of children, one or two of the eldest respected, and the youngest made wantons; but in the midst, some that are as it were forgotten, who many times, nevertheless, prove the best. The illiberality of parents, in allowance towards their children, is a harmful error; makes them base; acquaints them with shifts; makes them sort with mean company; and makes them surfeit more when they come to plenty. And therefore the proof is best, when men keep their authority towards the children, but not heir purse. Men have a foolish manner (both parents and schoolmasters and servants) in creating and breeding emulation between brothers, during childhood, which many times sorted to discord when they are men, and disturbed families.

The Italians make little difference between children, and nephews or near kinsfolk; but so they are of the lump, they care not though they pass not through their own body. And, to say truth, in nature it is much alike matter; insomuch that we see a nephew sometimes resembled an uncle, or a kinsman, more than his own parent; as the blood happens. Let parents choose betimes, the vocations and courses they mean their children should take; for then they are most flexible; and let them not too much apply themselves to the disposition of their children, as thinking they will take best to that, which they have most mind to. It is true, that if the affection or aptness of the children be extraordinary, then it is good not to cross it; but generally the precept is good. Younger brothers are commonly fortunate, but seldom or never where the elder are disinherited.