TREATISE IV: On the Fourth Precept of the Decalogue

Honor thy father and thy mother.

(Exod., 20, 12).

686. The three prior precepts order man to God. Among the other precepts, which regard neighbor, the first, that is, the fourth precept, has itself specially and directly toward those who on earth hold the place of God. Such are before all parents, and then extensively, by reason of similitude as regards power and office, all those who in some way possess authority. But parents preside under a twofold respect: namely insofar as they are the principle of life, and insofar as they are strong with eminent authority: to them therefore piety is owed, and observance; the latter, however, eminent and complete, insofar as it also includes obedience.

Indirectly from this precept are prescribed the duties both of parents toward children and among themselves, and of other Superiors toward subjects (St. Thom., 2.2, q. 122, a. 5). For there is not given a right without an office, nor an office without a right.

Therefore let there be four heads of inquiry: 1. concerning piety, observance, and obedience in general; 2. concerning the mutual obligations of children and parents; 3. concerning the duties of spouses; 4. concerning the mutual duties of inferiors and Superiors.