children are a reflection of their parents
Proverb meaning that children's behavior and character mirror how they are raised by their parents. Often used to remind parents to set a good example.
See also: 子は親の鏡
They say children are a reflection of their parents, so parents must always set a good example.
As the saying goes, children are a reflection of their parents; parents' actions greatly influence their children.
A variant of the same proverb using 子 (こ) instead of 子供 (こども). Slightly more literary or concise.
A Japanese proverb composed of 子供 (child), は (topic marker), 親 (parent), の (possessive), and 鏡 (mirror), literally 'children are a mirror of their parents'. The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects a common cultural belief about parental influence.