Children Quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
““A father acts on behalf of his children by working, providing, intervening, struggling, and suffering for them. In so doing, he really stands in their place. He is not an isolated individual, but incorporates the selves of several people in his own self. Every attempt to live as if he were alone is a denial of the fact that he is actually responsible. He cannot escape the responsibility, which is his because he is a father. This reality refutes the fictitious notion that the isolated individual is the agent of all ethical behavior. It is not the isolated individual but the responsible person who is the proper agent to be considered in ethical reflection.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 1959
A father’s identity is intertwined with his children’s needs; his moral agency is shared, not isolated.
In simple terms: Fatherhood means sharing responsibility, not acting alone.
Key Takeaway
Embrace shared responsibility.
Themes
ethics
family
responsibility
identity
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- parenting
- leadership
- community building
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
interdependence
moral agency
collective self
Questions to Reflect On
- How does shared identity shape moral choices?
- Can one be truly ethical alone?
A Different Perspective
Individualism ignores relational duties.
![“At 15 [my father] revolted against his father like any teenager, and said, "I'm out of here! What are you doing to me?" He thought he wouldn't be involved in that kind of stuff for the rest of his life. He just wanted to make money. He was one of those people who took over the family…” quote by Paul Laffoley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a7c/paul-laffoley-7077_borrowed_at-15-my-father-revolted-against-his-fat_149241.jpg)
