The essence of fatherhood

"All this I have learned," he told me one night, beside our fire, "and much more, but of what further use if I cannot pass it onto you. learn from me and avoid the scars your soul and mind will take, let alone your body. Profit by what I say, Barnabas, and go on to learn new things, and when you have a son, teach him." (from Sackett's Land, by Louis L'Amour)

Can you imagine how efficient and happy society would be - and could be - if each generation would indeed learn from their fathers so that they avoid mistakes? How much better that would be than the trial and error message!