It is they whose goodness makes them our parents, that properly claim
filial respect from us, and not those who are such only out of
necessity. The duties between parents and their children are relative
and reciprocal. By all laws, natural as well as civil, it is expected
that the parents should cherish and provide for the child, till it is
able to shift for itself; and that the child, with a mutual tenderness,
should depend upon the parent for its sustenance, and yield it a
reasonable obedience. Yet, through the depravity of human nature, we
very often see these laws violated, and the relations before-mentioned
treating one another with as much virulence as enemies of different
countries are capable of. Through the natural impatience and protervity
of youth, we observe the first occasion for any animosity most
frequently arising from their side; but, however, there are not wanting
examples of undutiful parents: and, when a father, by using a son ill,
and denying him such an education and such an allowance as his
circumstances can well afford, gives him occasion to withdraw his
respect from him, to urge his begetting of him as the sole obligation to
duty, is talking like a silly unthinking dotard. Mutual benevolence must
be kept up between relations, as well as friends; for, without this
cement, whatever you please to call the building, it is only a castle in
the air, a thing to be talked of, without the least reality.