MH page 391

The father should enforce in his family the sterner virtues—energy, integrity, honesty, patience, courage, diligence, and practical usefulness. And what he requires of his children he himself should practice, illustrating these virtues in his own manly bearing.

Fathers should exemplify and enforce practical virtues like integrity, honesty, and diligence. This passage outlines character traits and virtues that fathers should model and teach.

But, fathers, do not discourage your children. Combine affection with authority, kindness and sympathy with firm restraint. Give some of your leisure hours to your children; become acquainted with them; associate with them in their work and in their sports, and win their confidence. Cultivate friendship with them, especially with your sons. In this way you will be a strong influence for good.

Fathers should balance authority with affection, spending leisure time and associating with their children. The text provides practical relational advice for parenting, focusing on spending time with children to build trust.