Nice thoughts expressed in this thread ... many nuances on the original theme ... I must admit I was not considering the times a father cannot love the mother of his children, for various reasons ... but for me, this does not change the value of the lesson. The goal I set for my sons when I give them this advice is for them to give their love to the mother of their children, the best way they can ... it is a goal, an objective; I offer no qualifications. Of course there are many other ways a man shows love for his children; this one, for me, is the ldeal.