This excuse of the rich man is really not so foreign to us and is often found even in the church. When covenant children go astray, they are easily persuaded to blame others. They claim their parents were too strict or not strict enough. They blame others for leading them in evil paths. So also wayward husbands blame their wives.
Wayward wives blame their husbands.
Sometimes the church is blamed. It is said that the preaching is over the head of the listeners. It is either too doctrinal or too practical. It is dry and hard to understand and does not hold one's interest. Or, perhaps, the church is too small, too filled with bickering, not socially minded enough, and the people are not friendly enough.