The Babees Book begins with guidance on personal behavior and moral upbringing. It addresses young readers, urging them to cultivate discipline, humility, and respect from an early age. The text emphasizes that good manners and moral integrity are inseparable, presenting a vision of an ideal youth who balances personal ambition with societal obligations. This introduction sets the tone, making clear that education is not merely intellectual but fundamentally ethical, shaping both character and conduct.
A significant portion of the book is devoted to rules of conduct within the household. Young readers are instructed on duties towards parents, elders, and household members, highlighting obedience, gratitude, and consideration. Practical advice ranges from speaking politely to maintaining personal hygiene and orderly behavior. Furnivall's edition preserves the medieval context, revealing how domestic discipline was intertwined with moral instruction, showing that a well-mannered child contributes to a harmonious household.
Beyond the home, The Babees Book provides guidance on interacting with the wider community. It emphasizes courtesy, humility, and fairness in dealings with neighbors and acquaintances. The text illustrates that social conduct reflects one’s inner moral state, linking outward politeness with internal virtue. Young readers are warned against pride, rudeness, and envy, while being encouraged to assist the needy, respect social hierarchies, and act honorably. This section underscores the medieval belief that social harmony depends on the cultivation of ethical behavior at all levels.
Embedded throughout the book is a strong thread of religious and moral guidance. Children are instructed in piety, devotion, and awareness of divine judgment, highlighting that ethical living aligns with spiritual growth. The text presents virtues such as truthfulness, temperance, courage, and charity as essential not only for worldly respect but also for eternal well-being. Furnivall's notes make clear that these moral precepts reflect the medieval intertwining of secular and spiritual education, showing that forming good character was inseparable from religious duty.
