«مَا تِفْعَلُه الْآبَاءْ مِخَلَّفْ لِلْأَبْنَاءْ»

The proverb holds that a parent's conduct does not end with the parent. Whatever a father or mother does, whether generous or shameful, leaves something behind that the children receive. This can be a reputation, a set of habits, or the results of earlier choices. Though the wording names fathers and sons, it applies to parents and children generally.

The saying does not say whether the legacy is good or bad, so the speaker's intent depends on the situation. It may credit a son's good fortune to the honorable life his father led, or caution a parent that present wrongdoing will later burden the next generation. Either way, it treats family behavior as an inheritance.

Use this when a child benefits from a parent's good standing or suffers from a parent's misconduct. It also works as a reminder to parents that their choices will affect their children's future. It fits reflective or admonishing remarks about family responsibility.