Noun
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
Source: WordNetThe roots of education ... are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. Aristotle
Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots. Victor Hugo
Caresses, expressions of one sort or another, are necessary to the life of the affections as leaves are to the life of a tree. If they are wholly restrained, love will die at the roots. Nathaniel Hawthorne
Grass grows on its roots. Azerbaijani Proverb
Knowledge has bitter roots but sweet fruits. Italian Proverb
Roots of evil bear bitter fruits. American Proverb