This teaching reminds parents that their children are moral beings who may see some things rightly even when young. A home where no disagreement from the child is tolerated can stifle conscience and honesty. At the same time, Confucius insists on a tone of reverence and patience when children challenge parents. Parents can model this balance by how they speak to their own elders and by explicitly inviting respectful feedback: 'If you ever feel we are wrong, you may tell us—but with gentleness.' This trains children to pair truth-telling with humility.