And - “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world”. I just looked that up and found this, I had no idea this poem existed. Raising children well is more important than any position in business or other enterprise. Women can do many things even when raising children as volunteers or other pursuits, and children grow up and leave home.
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle is the Hand that Rocks the World
Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Infancy’s the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother’s first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow-
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky-
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hand_That_Rocks_the_Cradle_(poem)
“The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Is the Hand That Rules the World” is a poem by William Ross Wallace that praises motherhood as the preeminent force for change in the world. The poem was first published in 1865 under the title “What Rules the World”. Although the poem itself is now largely forgotten, the poem’s refrain became a commonly quoted proverb.
So glad you typed all that out! That is a beautiful poem. I have never read it before.
Thank you!
PPD
LJ, who wrote the poem?