She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
She looks well to the ways of her household in the sense of carefully attending to its needs and working diligently instead of eating the bread of idleness. That diligence is honorable everyday work, done with wisdom and kindness and faithful service. So lived, it makes her a blessing to her family and brings praise for her works.
Her true sphere and right is this oversight of the household, which calls for thorough knowledge and training in every department of domestic labor. That training includes knowing the mysteries of the kitchen, how to cut, make, and mend clothing, how to prepare food in a wholesome and palatable manner, washing, sweeping, dusting, and garden work, together with understanding the mechanism of the human body and the principles of hygiene, diet and dress, labor and recreation, and the best methods of treating disease so she can care for her children in sickness. A woman thus prepared is fitted to become wife and mother, head of the family, and a useful member of society, fully competent to preside as queen in her own domain, to guide and instruct her children, to direct those who serve in the home, and, if need be, to minister with her own hands to the wants of her household.
Learning this competence is beyond price, and more important than painting, fancy work, music, cube root, figures of rhetoric, or amusements such as croquet, archery, and dancing. Daughters should begin when nine or ten years old by taking a regular share in household duties as they are able and being held responsible for how they do the work. This active, attentive care does not mean endless sewing, but leaves room for a woman to take time to learn, to remain informed, to nurture her children's minds and faith, and to strengthen family life through cheerful companionship and wise influence.
She looks well to the ways of her household in the sense of carefully attending to its needs and working diligently instead of eating the bread of idleness. That diligence is honorable everyday work, done with wisdom and kindness and faithful service. So lived, it makes her a blessing to her family and brings praise for her works.
Her true sphere and right is this oversight of the household, which calls for thorough knowledge and training in every department of domestic labor. That training includes knowing the mysteries of the kitchen, how to cut, make, and mend clothing, how to prepare food in a wholesome and palatable manner, washing, sweeping, dusting, and garden work, together with understanding the mechanism of the human body and the principles of hygiene, diet and dress, labor and recreation, and the best methods of treating disease so she can care for her children in sickness. A woman thus prepared is fitted to become wife and mother, head of the family, and a useful member of society, fully competent to preside as queen in her own domain, to guide and instruct her children, to direct those who serve in the home, and, if need be, to minister with her own hands to the wants of her household.
Learning this competence is beyond price, and more important than painting, fancy work, music, cube root, figures of rhetoric, or amusements such as croquet, archery, and dancing. Daughters should begin when nine or ten years old by taking a regular share in household duties as they are able and being held responsible for how they do the work. This active, attentive care does not mean endless sewing, but leaves room for a woman to take time to learn, to remain informed, to nurture her children's minds and faith, and to strengthen family life through cheerful companionship and wise influence.