Musonius Rufus, Lectures 16.5

“In my opinion the man who does what his father desires and follows his father's wishes is obeying his father; and he who does what he ought and pursues the better course is following the wish of his father.

“How is that? Because surely all parents have the interests of their children at heart, and because of that interest they wish them to do what is right and advantageous.

“Consequently, one who does what is right and useful is doing what his parents wish and so is obedient to his parents in doing it, even if his parents do not order him in so many words to do these things.

“This one thing only and nothing else should he take into consideration who wishes to obey his parents in each act—whether what he plans to do is good and advantageous. Thus if such a conviction be entertained, whatever a man's action may be, it is the act of one obedient to his parents.”

What should a parent want for his child? What should an owner want for his workers? What should a king want for his subjects?

In each case, the very nature of the position brings with it an authority, an authority with the purpose to give direction: the ruler exists for the sake of those who are ruled. He is not there merely for himself, but there for the benefit of others.

And what if the ruler, whose service should be one of stewardship and guidance, stumbles in his pursuit of the good? I can then continue to be obedient to him by fulfilling what he should have asked of me, even if he fell short. I can honor his position, as best as is within my power, by still clinging to our shared goal.

I can serve my king, even if he has failed to serve me.

Would any good father turn away from his own son, however much he had strayed from virtue? No, the father will always welcome him back with open arms, because he stays firm in his duty. The son may fuss and fight, insisting that he knows better, but the father is patient in his love. Though the son may not yet understand, the father still understands.

Conversely, would any good son turn away from his own father, however misguided his orders might be? No, the young man will always give his respect, and he shows that piety by living up to his side of the bargain. The father may bang his fists and threaten to disown him, but the son is patient in his convictions. Though the father may be misguided, the son is still obedient to the father’s mission.

I have long been deeply moved by Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son, often brought close to tears by its profound expression of love. I can also imagine a story where the roles are reversed, where the dutiful son remains constant to the dignity and vocation of his errant father.

Written in 3/2000

IMAGE: Rembrandt, The Return of the Prodigal Son (c. 1669)