Valente Academy LawArt 2018_03-04_Knowledge Inside

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KNOWLEDGE INSIDE
2018
“Norse Warrior and His Son” –  Bronze
Sculpture by Emile Laporte – (French, 1858-1907) to their children, while also emphasizing the all-important role, the
The Mentor forgetting the various other mentors that have enriched our lives.
Very few are endowed with the rare gift of innate knowledge, the rest of us Many are the people and teachers we should be thanking for all – or almost
require someone to guide and show us the way in all facets of our lives. all – we learned, or know. 
Teaching starts at home, from our earliest childhood until we reach A subtle and almost imperceptible fil rouge traces our learning path
adulthood and beyond. throughout our lives. To our parents we owe everything, since to them
While our first steps are most likely to be encouraged by our mothers, we owe our own existence (i.e., the most precious gift, which is life itself). 
our fathers play an equally important role. They helped us walk, talk, and fall asleep with some enchanting
Both have the precise duty to help us become full-fledged adults and story or wonderful fairy tale; fairy tales did not only help
honest citizens whose main aspiration should be to help society, and the us fall asleep with a smile, but had also the precise purpose
world, become a “better place” also thanks to our personal contribution. of stimulating our intellect, rouse our curiosity, fire the
The message contained in this life-like work of art clearly imagination and broaden our horizons by teaching us new things.
conveys the strong bond in this father-and-son relationship. We certainly owe a lot to our teachers as well: to all those who took over
father – as first mentor – in the life of his offspring has; all this without
the development of our personal growth in a just as caring and
The father is the hardy warrior: a full-fledged adult whose essential role, albeit different from that of our parents, since
demeanor exudes strength, pride and courage and that unique there was always someone who took our learning to heart:
self-assurance that only matures after many victorious battles. from the first day at kindergarten to our most fulfilling graduation
His right arm is uplifted with his index finger pointing day in College or, when some kind of special satisfaction – owing
towards a faraway point, which may be a specific target, or
some strategic advice he is sharing with the young future
to our knowledge expansion, or to some particularly meaningful
acknowledgement – somehow brightened our existence.
warrior he is trying to forge. There was always a guide on our path, who took us by the hand
The son’s attentive listening denotes the latter’s filial devotion and knew how to spark our intellect, rekindle our learning
along with a respectful and obedient attitude towards his father’s abilities when discouragement would set in; to those who knew how to
teachings, while the deep affection between the two is almost palpable. draw out our specific talents by encouraging and helping us overcome
The sculptor skillfully caught the essence of the importance of how our teenage shyness, or by surmounting other obstacles which might
profound this bond is between this father and his son. somehow have obstructed a serene and holistic development of our
individual self – from childhood into full adulthood – in all areas of our
The two roles in this relationship are well defined: the father does not merely personal and professional sphere of life.
epitomize a father’s protective and duty-bound instinct towards his child, A special thought should go to those who did not only teach, but actually
but in this instance, the parent is also playing the role of mentor to his son, helped us understand the important things of life, those who actually
as he is evidently teaching the youth the art of warfare, (as a vital survival drove us to do “hands-on”, and especially to those who inspired and
technique), or the so-called “tricks of the trade”, which were crucial then nurtured, not only our minds, but also formed our conscience, elevated
and are just as fundamental nowadays. our spirit and raised our consciousness.
Everything in this dynamic twosome is captivating. The greatest thanks should go to life itself, perhaps the sternest but surely
Both figures give the impression that they are about to come to life and the most generous teacher of all... i.e., Life itself – this unique gift –
start talking to their beholders: the facial expressions and attitudes of which is to be celebrated always, as the most exceptional and
both statues are deeply touching in their superlative representation of unrepeatable experience of our own personal and distinctive
this intimate and profound link that has since forever bound parents exhilarating moment in time.
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