--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Parents must try to be, or at least put…" description: "\"“Parents must try to be, or at least put forth their best efforts to be, what they wish [their] children to be. It is impossible for you to be an examp..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f99/joseph-fielding-smith-13580_children_parents-must-try-to-be-or-at-least-put-f_1191079.jpg" --- # Parents must try to be, or at least put forth their best… ![“Parents must try to be, or at least put forth their best efforts to be, what they wish [their] children to be. It is impossible for you to be an example of what you are not.” quote by Joseph Fielding Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f99/joseph-fielding-smith-13580_children_parents-must-try-to-be-or-at-least-put-f_1191079.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f99/joseph-fielding-smith-13580_children_parents-must-try-to-be-or-at-least-put-f_1191079.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f99/joseph-fielding-smith-13580_children_parents-must-try-to-be-or-at-least-put-f_1191079.jpg) > ““Parents must try to be, or at least put forth their best efforts to be, what they wish \[their\] children to be. It is impossible for you to be an example of what you are not.”” [Joseph Fielding Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-fielding-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Parents must embody the virtues they desire in their children. **In simple terms:** Be the example you want for kids. Key Takeaway Live the values you teach. Themes parenting role model values Mood thoughtful encouraging Type didactic inspirational When to use this quote - family life - education - community - faith Key Concepts integrity leadership Questions to Reflect On - What values do you model daily? - How can you improve your example? A Different Perspective People struggle to consistently model ideals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents/) ## Related quotes > [All parents believe their children can do the impossible. 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