Courtesy and kindness
The principle of being kind to one another is at the very foundation of family happiness. Courtesy must reign in every home.
It doesn't cost anything to be nice, but it does have the power to soften the harshest and grossest natures. The encouragement of constant courtesy and the desire to act with others as we would like to do with ourselves will help to get rid of many daily difficulties.
If we want to see our children kind and educated, we ourselves must be an example for them. Show courtesy and sympathy to each other, even in children. Rough speech should not be encouraged; harsh words should not ring around the house.
Everyone can have a cheerful appearance and polite manners. Children are attracted to good, joyous behavior. Be kind and polite to them, and they will show the same spirit to you and to others.
The courtesy and resistance shown by you will have a greater impact on your children's characters than just the words.
By lovingly talking to their children and praising them when they try to do the right thing, parents can encourage their efforts, make them happy, and create a family atmosphere of goodwill that dissipates all darkness and illuminates the home with a light of joy.
Gentle manners, words of encouragement, and actions dictated by love will connect the hearts of children and parents with a tender bond of love.
Mutual benevolence and resistance will make the family a paradise and will attract the holy angels to the family circle; but they will leave that house where rude words are spoken, where irritability and disagreement reign. The severity, the discontent and the anger close the door of God to that house.
The courtesy shown in everyday life and the affection of family members towards each other should not be conditioned by external circumstances. A pleasant tone of voice, gentle manners and sincere sympathy, which finds expression in every act, combined with hard work, precision and saving, make even a shack a happy home.
It is necessary to represent less ostentatious courtesy to strangers and guests and to show more true love and disposition to the people we love in our families.
The essence of true courtesy is respect for others. The so-called culture, which does not make young people respectful towards their parents, does not teach them to value the existing advantages, tolerates the disadvantages, does not help their needs, which does not make them attentive and gentle, generous and useful for young people, old and unhappy and polite to everyone, such a culture is false.