No one can despise his father or mother without being guilty of an offense against God. “An inevitable curse threatens all stubborn and disobedient children.” Obedience is the evidence of that honor which children owe to their parents, and is therefore more earnestly enforced. It is likewise more difficult; for the human mind recoils from the idea of subjection, and with difficulty allows itself to be placed under the control of another. Experience shows how rare this virtue is, for do we find one among a thousand that is obedient to his parents?
…parents are to be obeyed, so far only as is consistent with piety to God, which comes first in order.
