«اِبْنَك عَلَى مَا تْرَبِّيهْ»

The proverb presents a child’s conduct as shaped by what they are taught and accustomed to. The habits encouraged during upbringing are likely to show in how the child behaves.

The principle works in either direction: a child may learn good habits or harmful ones. The saying can therefore express approval of careful upbringing or warn about the conduct being taught.

It can be used when discussing a caregiver’s role in forming a child’s habits, whether to praise the care taken in raising a child or to caution against repeatedly teaching undesirable behavior.