Nigel Nicolson

It is nonsensical for parents to demand gratitude from their children, who in the long term are more benefactors than beneficiaries, but I am happy to think that in my own case our lives, generation to generation, interpenetrated, like a handshake that signifies mutual affection and support, but which can instantly be released.

Ðîäèòåëÿì íåðàçóìíî òðåáîâàòü áëàãîäàðíîñòè îò ñâîèõ äåòåé, êîòîðûå â êîíöå êîíöîâ îêàçûâàþòñÿ ñêîðåå áëàãîäåòåëÿìè, ÷åì îáëàãîäåòåëüñòâîâàííûìè, íî ìíå ðàäîñòíî âèäåòü, ÷òî ñâÿçü ìåæäó ïîêîëåíèÿìè ìîåé ñåìüè ïîõîæà íà äðóæåñêîå ðóêîïîæàòèå, ïîêàçûâàþùåå âçàèìíóþ ñèìïàòèþ è ïîääåðæêó, íî ëèøü íà ìãíîâåíèå ïðèêîâûâàþùåå íàñ äðóã ê äðóãó.