“Train up the child according to the tenor of his way, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Pro. 22:6 JND). Children are born with natural traits. Some are naturally good in using their hands; some are not. Some are good at detail; some are not. Some are quick and active; some are not. Part of the parents’ responsibility in raising their children is to identify the different natural traits in the child, so that they may train the child to use their strong traits and help them overcome their weak ones. The parent is to help the child develop according the “tenor of his way”—according to his natural traits—so that he may develop his natural skills and grow up to find an occupation that fits these skills. If so trained, he will continue in that way and not depart from it. If not so trained, he may start out in one thing, not be fitted for it, give it up and try something else, and waste good years of life trying to figure out how to make a living that is suited to the tenor of his ways.
D. F. Rule