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Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
The Curse of Inaction
In many cases parents who are wealthy do not feel the importance
of giving their children an education in the practical duties of life as
well as in the sciences. They do not see the necessity, for the good
of their children’s minds and morals, and for their future usefulness,
of giving them a thorough understanding of useful labor. This is
due their children, that, should misfortune come, they could stand
forth in noble independence, knowing how to use their hands. If
they have a capital of strength they cannot be poor even if they have
not a dollar.
Many who in youth were in affluent circumstances may be
robbed of all their riches and be left with parents and brothers and
sisters dependent upon them for sustenance. Then how important
that every youth be educated to labor, that he may be prepared for
any emergency! Riches are indeed a curse when their possessors
let them stand in the way of their sons and daughters’ obtaining a
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knowledge of useful labor, that they may be qualified for practical
life....
Poverty, in many cases, is a blessing, for it prevents youth and
children from being ruined by inaction. The physical as well as the
mental powers should be cultivated and properly developed. The
first and constant care of parents should be to see that their children
have firm constitutions, that they may be sound men and women.
It is impossible to attain this object without physical exercise. For
their own physical health and moral good, children should be taught
to work, even if there is no necessity so far as want is concerned.
If they would have pure and virtuous characters they must have the
discipline of well-regulated labor, which will bring into exercise
all the muscles. The satisfaction that children have in being useful,
and in denying themselves to help others, will be the most healthful
pleasure they can enjoy....
Parents, inaction is the greatest curse that ever came upon youth.
Your daughters should not be allowed to lie in bed late in the morn-
ing, sleeping away the precious hours lent them of God to be used
for the best purpose, and for which they will have to give an account
to Him. That mother does her daughters great injury who bears the