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As to those young men that despise their parents, and do not pay
them honor, but offer them affronts, either because they are ashamed of
them or think themselves wiser than they, - in the first place, let their
parents admonish them in words, (for they are by nature of authority sufficient
for becoming their judges,) and let them say thus to them: - That they
cohabited together, not for the sake of pleasure, nor for the augmentation
of their riches, by joining both their stocks together, but that they might
have children to take care of them in their old age, and might by them
have what they then should want. And say further to him, "That when
thou wast born, we took thee up with gladness, and gave God the greatest
thanks for thee, and brought time up with great care, and spared for nothing
that appeared useful for thy preservation, and for thy instruction in what
was most excellent. And now, since it is reasonable to forgive the sins
of those that are young, let it suffice thee to have given so many indications
Of thy contempt of us; reform thyself, and act more wisely for the time
to come; considering that God is displeased with those that are insolent
towards their parents, because he is himself the Father of the whole race
of mankind, and seems to bear part of that dishonor which falls upon those
that have the same name, when they do not meet with dire returns from their
children. And on such the law inflicts inexorable punishment; of which
punishment mayst thou never have the experience." Now if the insolence
of young men be thus cured, let them escape the reproach which their former
errors deserved; for by this means the lawgiver will appear to be good,
and parents happy, while they never behold either a son or a daughter brought
to punishment. But if it happen that these words and instructions, conveyed
by them in order to reclaim the man, appear to be useless, then the offender
renders the laws implacable enemies to the insolence he has offered his
parents; let him therefore be brought forth
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by these very parents out of the city, with a multitude following him,
and there let him be stoned; and when he has continued there for one whole
day, that all the people may see him, let him be buried in the night. And
thus it is that we bury all whom the laws condemn to die, upon any account
whatsoever. Let our enemies that fall in battle be also buried; nor let
any one dead body lie above the ground, or suffer a punishment beyond what
justice requires.