Allan Kardec-THE Spirit's Book_ The Principles of Spiritist Doctrine (1989)

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THE SPIRITS’ BOOK
other spirit. Between the descendants of the same race there is no other relationship than that
of consanguinity."
- What is the cause of the moral resemblance that sometimes exists between parents and
children?
"The attractive influence of moral sympathy, which orings together spirits who are animated
by similar sentiments and tendencies."
208. Are the spirits of the parents without influence upon the spirit of their child after its
birth?
"They exercise, on the contrary, a very great influence upon it. As we have already told you,
spirits are made to conduce to one another's progress. To the spirits of the parents is confided
the mission of developing those of their children by the training they give to them; it is a task
which is appointed to them, and which they cannot without guilt fail to fulfil."
209. How is it that good and virtuous parents often give birth to children of perverse and evil
nature? In other words, how is it that the good qualities of tile parents do not always attract
to them, through sympathy, a good spirit to animate their child?
"A wicked spirit may ask to be allowed to have virtuous parents, in the hope that their
counsels may help him to amend his ways; and God often confides such an one to the care of
virtuous persons, in order that he may be benefited by their affection and care."
210. Can parents, by their intentions and their'. prayers, attract a good spirit into the body of
their child, instead of an inferior spirit?
"No; but they can improve the spirit of the child whom they have brought into the world, and
is confided to them for that purpose. It is their duty to do this; but bad children are often sent
as a trial for the improvement of the parents also."
211. What is the cause of the similarity of character so often existing among brothers,
especially between twins?
"The sympathy of two spirits who are attracted by the similarity of their sentiments, and who
are happy to be together."
212. In children whose bodies are joined together, and who have some of their organs in
common, are there two spirits,- that is to say, two souls?
"Yes; but their resemblance to one another often makes them seem to you as though there
were but one."