But it is a noteworthy fact that eminent qualities in men may often be traced to similar qualities in their mothers. Knowledge, it is true, is not hereditary, but high mental qualities are so, and experience and observation seem to prove that the transmission is chiefly through the mother's side. But leaving this physiological view, let us look at the purely educational. Imagine an educated mother training and molding the powers of her children, giving to them in the years of infancy those gentle yet permanent tendencies which are of more account in the formation of character than any subsequent educational influences, selecting for them the best instructors, encouraging and aiding them in their difficulties, rejoicing with them in their successes, able to take an intelligent interest in their progress in literature and science.
JOHN WILLIAM DAWSON.

   From "On the Higher Education of Women."

     但请注意，男性的杰出品质总能追溯到其母亲所拥有的，相似的品质。诚然，知识并非继承而来，然而经验和研究告诉我们，智力水平却是从双亲，且主要从母方传承而来的。且不论这生理学上的问题，我们单从教育方面来看。试想一下，一位受过教育的母亲，她能培养，塑造她孩子们的能力，她引导孩子，可谓润物细无声，却能比任何日后的教育，更能深远影响他们个性的形成：她给孩子们选最好的老师，他们碰到困难，就给与鼓励与支持，获得成功，就和他们一起高兴，她也能参与到孩子无论是文科，还是理科的学习中去。