Character Quote by Aristotle
“Inasmuch as every family is a part of a state, and these relationships are the parts of a family, and the virtue of the part must have regard to the virtue of the whole, women and children must be trained by education with an eye to the constitution, if the virtues of either of them are supposed to make any difference in the virtues of the state. And they must make a difference: for the children grow up to be citizens, and half the free persons in a state are women.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Politics, Book III, 4th century BC
The moral education of women and children shapes the virtue of the state, so their upbringing must align with civic ideals.
In simple terms: Educating families builds a virtuous society.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize civic education for all members.
Themes
civic virtue
education
family
state
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- School curricula
- parental guidance
- public policy
Key Concepts
Political philosophy
ethics
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How can modern societies ensure inclusive civic education?
- What role do families play in civic virtue?
A Different Perspective
Historical gender roles limit applicability today.
![“The family state then, is the aptest earthly illustration of the heavenly kingdom...[The mother] is to rear all under her care to lay up treasures, not on earth, but in heaven. All the pleasures of this life end here; but those who train immortal minds are to read the fruit of their labor through…” quote by Beecher, Catharine E. (Catharine Esther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d1d/beecher-catharine-e-catharine_earthly_the-family-state-then-is-the-aptest-eart_2279451.jpg)
![“[Marianne Moore] once remarked, after a visit to her brother and his family, that the state of being married and having children had one enormous advantage: "One never has to worry about whether one is doing the right thing or not. There isn't time. One is always having to go to the market or…” quote by Elizabeth Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/898/elizabeth-bishop-9054_doing-the-right-thin_marianne-moore-once-remarked-after-a-vis_1806207.jpg)
