Frederick William I Quotes
A bad, obstinate boy, who does not love his father; for when one does one's best, and especially when one loves one's father, one does what he wishes not only when he is standing by but when he is not there to see. Moreover you know very well that I cannot stand an effeminate fellow who has no manly tastes, who cannot ride or shoot (to his shame be it said!), is untidy about his person, and wears his hair curled like a fool instead of cutting it; and that I have condemned all these things a thousand times, and yet there is no sign of improvement. For the rest, haughty, offish as a country lout, conversing with none but a favored few instead of being affable and popular, grimacing like a fool, and never following my wishes out of love for me but only when forced into it, caring for nothing but to have his own way, and thinking nothing else is of any importance.
The boy was 16 at the time, and this letter must have been devastating. However, it is interesting that the complaints of this 18th century father are not dissimilar to those of some fathers in much of the 20th century and may be a part of generation differences almost universal.
Frederick William I, 1688-1740, King of Prussia, Letter to his son, September 11, 1728
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
