the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children

the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children

The ill deeds or wrongdoings of one generation will result in the punishment or suffering of the next. The phrase comes from the Bible (Numbers 14:18): "[God] will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children." You're a fool to think that you can keep your kids safe while you do business with the mob. After all, the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children.

See also: children, father, of, sin, upon, visit

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.