But he who has an aged father or mother has a living image, which if he cherish it will do him far more good than any statue.

'What do you mean by cherishing them ?' I will tell you.

Oedipus and Amyntor and Theseus cursed their children, and their curses took effect.

This proves that the Gods hear the curses of parents who are wronged; and shall we doubt that they hear and fulfil their blessings too ?' 'Surely not.' And, as we were saying, no image is more honoured by the Gods than an aged father and mother, to whom when honour is done, the God who hears their prayers is rejoiced, and their influence is greater than that of the lifeless statue; for they pray that good or evil may come to us in proportion as they are honoured or dishonoured, but the statue is silent.

'Excellent.' Good men are glad when their parents live to extreme old age, or if they depart early, lament their loss; but to bad man their parents are always terrible.