An epitome is a brief statement of something. The epitomes here are an embodiment of values that you can use to teach loved ones. Using the alphabet as a reference to help memorize those values, you can use these epitomes for yourself or decide on other values you hold dear.

The importance here is to teach your loved ones what you consider is of great worth. If you learn them, and your children learn them, and they pass those values down the family tree, then what you will have, in effect done, is touched the lives of many generations of your descent. You can reach into time and affect many lives!