You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds.
You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.
William J. H. Boetcker, 1916 (often attributed to Lincoln )
My mom said that her goal was to raise her children to be independent and contribute to society. Now, as the youngest of six turns 18 in a couple of months, I look at my brothers and sisters and where we are in our lives. I think my mom has reached her goal.
How is the list by Boetcker related to the paragraph about my family? It is my strong belief, back by research, that it is the responsibility of parents to teach their children how to become members of society. It is not up to the teachers at school, leaders in church, or president of the United States. Outside leaders assist in the teaching, but the primary responsibility is up to the parents.
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