James Dobson Quotes & Sayings

Unfortunately, many young believers - and some older ones, too - do not know that there will be times in every person's life when circumstances don't add up - when God doesn't appear to make sense. This aspect of the Christian faith is not well advertised. — James Dobson

My observation is that women are merely waiting for their husbands to assume leadership. — James Dobson

I cannot, and will not, vote for Senator John McCain, as a matter of conscience, — James Dobson

God has called us to be His representatives in our nation and in our world. Select candidates who represent your views and work for their election. — James Dobson

Children represent God's most generous gift to us. — James Dobson

If homes are going to survive, it will be because husbands and fathers again place their families at the highest level on their system of priorities. — James Dobson

It is deeply moving, powerful, and disturbing. A film that must be seen. — James Dobson

Joy comes form knowing God loves me, knows who I am and where I'm going ... that my future is secure as I rest in Him. — James Dobson

Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without. — James Dobson

It is my view that our society can be no more stable than the foundation of individual family units upon which it rests. Our government, our institutions, our schools ... indeed, our way of life are dependent on healthy marriages and loyalty to the vulnerable little children around our feet. — James Dobson

Those who are the happiest are not neccessarily those for whom life has been easiest. — James Dobson

Trust involves letting go and knowing God will catch you. — James Dobson

One of the problems with sex education ... is that it also strips kids - especially girls - of their modesty to have every detail of anatomy, physiology and condom usage made explicit. — James Dobson

Prayer and dependence on God has been our history. How unfortunate it is now that an unaccountable and unelected and misguided judge from Wisconsin, Judge Barbara Crabb, has declared National Days of Prayer - established by the Congress - to be unconstitutional. — James Dobson

Sometimes we're so concerned about giving our children what we never had growing up, we neglect to give them what we did have growing up. — James Dobson

It is impossible to overstate the need for prayer in the fabric of family life. — James Dobson

Clearly, the Scripture tells us that we lack the capacity to grasp God's infinite mind or the way He intervenes in our lives. How arrogant of us to think otherwise! Trying to analyze His omnipotence is like an amoeba attempting to comprehend the behavior of man. — James Dobson

Behavior runs in deep channels that were cut during early childhood, and it is very difficult to alter them. In order to change a deeply ingrained pattern, you have to build a sturdy dam, dig another canal and reroute the river in the new direction. That effort is rarely successful over the long haul. — James Dobson

Dick Armey is an economic conservative. He is not a social conservative. He doesn't like to talk about marriage and about the unborn child, the sanctity of life and things like that. He wants to talk about smaller government. — James Dobson

By learning to yield to the loving authority ... of his parents, a child learns to submit to other forms of authority which will confront him later in his life - his teachers, school principal, police, neighbors and employers. — James Dobson

One of the first things you and your fiance need to develop is a meaningful prayer life even before the wedding. My wife, Shirley, and I did that, and the time we have spent on our knees has been the stabilizing factor throughout nearly forty years of marriage. — James Dobson

What is the biggest obstacle facing the family right now? It is over-commitment; time pressure. There is nothing that will destroy family life more insidiously than hectic schedules and busy lives, where spouses are too exhausted to communicate, too worn out to have sex, too fatigued to talk to the kids. That frantic lifestyle is just as destructive as one involving outbroken sin. If Satan can't make you sin, he'll make you busy, and that's just about the same thing. — James Dobson

I believe in the death penalty. — James Dobson

The universe and everything in it will someday pass away and be made new by the Creator. Therefore, the events of today that seem so important are not really very significant, except for those matters that will survive the end of the universe. — James Dobson

Communities do not let prostitutes, pedophiles, voyeurs, adulterers, and those who sexually prefer animals to publicly celebrate their lifestyles, so why should homosexuals get such privileges? — James Dobson

Respect is intended to operate on a two-way street. — James Dobson

I do believe that Israel is covenant land. That's very controversial, but I read the Bible literally, and I believe that God gave them that land, all the way back to Deuteronomy. — James Dobson

Children are not casual guests in our home. They have been loaned to us temporarily for the purpose of loving them and instilling a foundation of values on which their future lives will be built. — James Dobson

It is our uniqueness that gives freshness and vitality to a relationship. — James Dobson

The footsteps a child follows are most likely to be the ones his parents thought they covered up. — James Dobson

There are very few certainties that touch us all in this mortal experience, but one of the absolutes is that we will experience hardship and stress at some point. — James Dobson

The right to criticize must be earned, even if the advice is constructive in nature. — James Dobson

We Americans are living a lifestyle of exhaustion. We don't have time for ourselves, much less for each other and our children. — James Dobson

It will always hurt to be laughed at, snubbed, ignored or attacked by others. But I would remind you that the human personality grows through adversity, provided it is not crushed in the process. — James Dobson

Here's why I cannot vote for Rudy Giuliani. He's pro-abortion. He's never repudiated gay marriage in New York City or at least the civil unions in New York City. He's called a champion of gay rights. Rudy is opposed to school choice. He's in favor of open borders. — James Dobson

I would like to thank those who spoke boldly against the 'gay marriage float' in the 2014 Rose Parade. Apparently, that vigorous opposition came from perhaps millions of people, and it had a significant influence on how the matter was handled on network and cable television. — James Dobson

If you let a child know that you think he is lazy, sloppy, untruthful, unpleasant, and thoughtless, he'll probably prove you are right. Obviously, it is much better to make him stretch to reach a positive image than stoop to match one at ground level. — James Dobson

A child identifies his parents with God, whether or not the adults want that role. Most children 'see' God the way they perceive their earthly fathers. — James Dobson

When these parenting years have passed, something precious will have flickered and gone out of my life. Thus, I am resolved to enjoy every day that remains in this fathering era. — James Dobson

I'm still heard on 1,500 radio stations across North America every day, about 220 million people a day in 150 countries. — James Dobson

Some strong-willed children absolutely demand to be spanked, and their wishes should be granted ... [T]wo or three stinging strokes on the legs or buttocks with a switch are usually sufficient to emphasize the point, 'You must obey me.' — James Dobson

Love is not simply a feeling of romantic excitement; it is more than a desire to marry a potential partner; it goes beyond intense sexual attraction; it exceeds the thrill at having "captured" a highly desirable social prize. Real love is an expression of the deepest appreciation for another human being; it is awareness of his or her needs and longings- past, present and future. It is unselfish, giving and caring. — James Dobson

If two men or two women can marry, then there is no way a court could deny three men and two women or any combination thereof. — James Dobson

Males and females are unique and different, because their brains are different. There's not a limitation on girls. My grandmother was very strong, and so was my mother. She also knew what it meant to be a woman and wife and was very successful at it. — James Dobson

I would not vote for John McCain under any circumstances. — James Dobson

Although individual temperaments vary, boys are designed to be more assertive, audacious, and excitable than girls are. — James Dobson

Homosexuals are not monogamous. They want to destroy the institution of marriage. It will destroy marriage. It will destroy the Earth. — James Dobson

Tell me why it is that a toddler will gag over a perfectly wonderful breakfast of ham, eggs, biscuits, juice, and jelly. But then he will enthusiastically drink the dog's water and play in the toilet. Truly, he is his mother's greatest challenge ... ; and her most inexpressible joy. — James Dobson

Barring a miracle, the family that has existed since antiquity will likely crumble, presaging the fall of Western civilization itself. This is a time for concerted prayer, divine wisdom and greater courage than we have ever been called upon to exercise, — James Dobson

Clearly, unless the Lord chooses to explain Himself to us, which often He does not, His motivation and purposes are beyond the reach of mortal man. What this means in practical terms is that many of our questions - especially those that begin with the word 'why' - will have to remain unanswered for the time being. — James Dobson

A boy or girl who knows that love abounds at home will not resent well-deserved punishment. One who is unloved or ignored will hate any form of discipline. — James Dobson

My legacy doesn't matter. It isn't important that I be remembered. It's important that when I stand before the Lord, he says, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' I want to finish strong. — James Dobson

Can't you see the Creator of the universe, who understands every secret, every mystery, sitting patiently and listening to a four-year-old talk to Him? That's a beautiful image of a father. — James Dobson

We human beings can survive the most difficult of circumstances if we are not forced to stand alone. — James Dobson

The final heartbeat for the Christian is not the mysterious conclusion to a meaningless existence. It is, rather, the grand beginning to a life that will never end. — James Dobson

I don't believe that homosexuals really want to marry, most of them. They're all different, and some have different views. — James Dobson

Should Sen. McCain capture the nomination as many assume, I believe this general election will offer the worst choices for President in my lifetime. I certainly can't vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama based on their virulently anti-family policy positions. — James Dobson

Marriage succeeds only as lifetime commitment with no escape clauses. — James Dobson

There is no greater privilege in living than bringing a tiny new human being into the world and then trying to raise him or her properly during the next eighteen years. Doing that job right requires all the intelligence, wisdom, and determination you will be able to muster from day to day. — James Dobson

I'm not Catholic, but I have a great deal of respect for Pope John Paul. I think that he has stood firm on the moral issues, and I admire him greatly. — James Dobson

I'm certain that most couples expect to find intimacy in marriage, but it somehow eludes them. — James Dobson

Don't throw away your friendship with your teenager over behavior that has no great moral significance. There will be plenty of real issues that require you to stand like a rock. Save your big guns for those crucial confrontations. — James Dobson

'Dare to Discipline' was published in 1970 in the midst of the Vietnam War and a culture of rebellion. The book was written in that context, but the principles of child rearing have not changed. — James Dobson

Loving discipline encourages a child to respect other people and live as a responsible, constructive citizen. — James Dobson

I'm working as hard as I ever have. — James Dobson

Faith in God - life can never take you by surprise again. — James Dobson

Ain is a marvelous purifier ... It is not necessary to beat the child into submission; a little bit of pain goes a long way for a young child. However, the spanking should be of sufficient magnitude to cause the child to cry genuinely. — James Dobson

To those who say Ted Bundy should burn forever in eternity I would only say, so should I, so should all of us ... — James Dobson

God's Heart is especially tender toward the downtrodden and the defeated. He knows your name and He has seen every tear you have shed. — James Dobson

If a woman plans to terminate her pregnancy, she commonly refers to the life within her as the 'fetus'. But if she intends to deliver and love and care for the little child, she affectionately calls him 'my baby'. — James Dobson

The Lord doesn't always remove the sources of stress in our lives ... but He's always there and cares for us. We can feel His arms around us on the darkest night. — James Dobson

Great beginnings are not as important as the way one finishes. — James Dobson

Traditional Judeo-Christian values literally hang in the balance in America. They can be 'forgotten' in a single generation if they are not taught to children and teenagers ... It could happen here if we don't defend what we believe. — James Dobson

Since 1775, when the first Continental Congress called for a national day of prayer, there have been such events called for by almost every President. I saw the figures - 34 out of 44 Presidents have called for a national day of prayer. Some of those who didn't have died in office. — James Dobson

The institution of the family has very few friends in Washington. There are lobbyists in Washington for every possible entity, from the possum-growers of America to every kind of crazy thing. There's somebody in Washington paid to advance the cause of that particular business, but there's not a lot of support for the family. — James Dobson

I don't want to make a mistake that would hurt the cause of Christ late in my life, so I'm going to do everything I can to bring many people to Christ. If he can use me in that regard through 'Family Talk,' that will be my greatest legacy. — James Dobson

My greatest concern is that Mitt Romney seldom addresses the social issues publicly ... I'm referring to the sanctity of human life, the traditional definition of marriage, and religious liberty. — James Dobson

My dad and I hunted and fished together. How could I get angry at this man who took the time to be with me? — James Dobson

Homosexuals can be, you know, committed to each other. And they have freedom to behave in the ways that they do, but they cannot be a family. They cannot be married. I mean, virtually every culture in the history of the world has considered marriage to be between one woman and one man. — James Dobson

A good marriage is not one where perfection reigns: it is a relationship where a healthy perspective overlooks a multitude of "unresolvables." — James Dobson

If traditional marriage is not the law of the land, the institution of the family will cease to exist. — James Dobson

The idea that Love Must Be Tough dictates that we be willing to set another person free- even if it causes us great pain to let go. When we do this, we maximize the chances that that loved one will not leave, because the cage door has been opened and self-respect has been affirmed. — James Dobson

When I was about ten, I was very impressed by the way Tarzan could swing through the trees from vine to vine. No one ever told me, 'Don't try this at home.' — James Dobson

A disturbing prospect looms before us as Americans consider the possibility of a second term for President Barack Obama. Millions of conservatives who revere the Constitution, with its guarantees of freedom and limited government, have watched with alarm as the campaign season has unfolded. — James Dobson

Politics is dirty. Politics is exciting. Politics is often very, very difficult and disappointing. And I really would rather the world would be a little more like it was when my dad was young, where you knew pretty much where people stood on the great moral issues. — James Dobson

One of the most important responsibilities in the Christian life is to care about others, smile at them, and be a friend to the friendless. — James Dobson

The United States has been from the beginning greatly influenced and primarily influenced by the Judeo-Christian system of values. — James Dobson

Morality and immorality are not defined by man's changing attitudes and social customs. They are determined by the God of the universe, whose timeless standards cannot be ignored with impunity. — James Dobson

God does not need our money. But you and I need the experience of giving it — James Dobson

Show me a husband who keeps his thoughts to himself, and I will show you a frustrated wife. — James Dobson

When you let people put you up on a pedestal, you step one step in any direction, and you're going to go down. — James Dobson

I don't blame homosexuals for being angry when people say they've made a choice to be gay, because they don't. — James Dobson

Authority is God ordained, but authoritarianism and raw power, in almost all forms, is dangerous. — James Dobson

Extreme independence is as destructive to a relationship as total dependence. — James Dobson

You have to work to keep love alive; you have to protect it and maintain it, just like you would a delicate flower. — James Dobson

Those who control what young people are taught, and what they experience - what they see, hear, think, and believe - will determine the future course for the nation. — James Dobson