Full Idea
Being a good father, or daughter, or friend seems to depend on one's intentions, rather than on such things as cleverness and strength.
Gist of Idea
Being a good father seems to depend on intentions, rather than actual abilities
Source
Philippa Foot (Goodness and Choice [1961], p.138)
Book Reference
Foot,Philippa: 'Virtues and Vices' [Blackwell 1981], p.138
A Reaction
Not sure about that. In wartime a good father might need to be actually brave, and in times of hardship be actually economically successful. 'He meant well, but he was a hopeless father'?