ABSTRACT

In one of the opening chapters of The Ship of Fools, Sebastian Brant targeted fathers who were guilty of a particular kind of foolishness. He is a blind fool, Who does not take care that his children are instructed in morals, But rather sees to it That he lets them go without discipline, Like sheep without a shepherd; He sees their mischief And thinks, ‘They cannot be disciplined; They are not yet at the age Where they can hold in their ears What one says to them with discipline and teaching.’ You big fool! Pay attention and listen: Youth is easy to influence; They pay attention to everything. Whatever you pour into new jars, They will not lose that flavor. 1