"Oh this is altogether too much," you may say, "besides we leave the care of all these things to the priest or teacher." Be not deceived; it is a duty that belongs primarily to you- you may indeed invoke their help, but you can never completely shift your burden onto their shoulders.  Add to this that no one can convey instruction to your children so efficaciously and with such good results as you, both because of your greater authority over them, and because of the facilities  afforded you by the ceaseless intimate contact with them.  The gentlest and smallest quantity of rain, provided only that it falls frequently and at the proper season, does much more good to the earth than torrents of rain falling at the wrong time; and in the same way, easy and short lessons given opportunely from time to time during your ordinary household occupations, will prove much more profitable to your children than extensive instructions received elsewhere.