Fathers Dad Quotes & Sayings

Dad taught me everything I know. Unfortunately, he didn't teach me everything he knows. — Al Unser

Let me say for now that we knew once the Creation was broken, true fathering would be much more lacking than mothering. Don't misunderstand me, both are needed- but an emphasis on fathering is necessary because of the enormity of its absence — Wm. Paul Young

One day, I found my dad's dressing-gown in an old suitcase, and it transported me back to when I was five and thought he was a god or a superhero who could do anything. After that, I wrote my first positive book about fathers, about my dad. — Anthony Browne

I spent half my childhood trying to be like my dad. True for most boys, I think. It turns with adolescence. The last thing I wanted was to be like my dad. It took becoming a man to realize how lucky I'd been. It took a few hard knocks in life to make me realize the only thing my dad had ever wanted or worked for was to give me a chance at being better than him. — Tucker Elliot

I get a message from my dad. In the mood I'm in, I tear up to see his name in my inbox, and imagine him down the hall in bed, propped on pillows, emailing me.
"Hon,
Enjoyed our gelato date the other night. I just want to say I'm proud of you for a lot of reasons. Also, I've attached a picture of my foot."
He's such a weirdo goofball. I love him. — Sara Zarr

Be a dad. Don't be "Mom's Assistant" ... Be a man ... Fathers have skills that they never use at home. You run a landscaping business and you can't dress and feed a four-year-old? Take it on. Spend time with your kids ... It won't take away your manhood, it will give it to you. — Louis C.K.

Remember: What dad really wants is a nap. Really. — Dave Barry

My dad's life was magnificent, but only if I let myself see and remember more than his years of decline. — Lisa J. Shultz

Being a dad is quite rewarding and even magical at times. It is our greatest chance to do something right in our lives that will keep making the world a brighter place even generations after we are gone. — Timothy Pina

Men who as boys felt neglected by their dads often remain distant from their children. The sins of fathers are passed on to children, often through the dynamic of self-protection. It hurts to be neglected, and it creates questions about our value to others. So to avoid feeling the sting of further rejection, we refuse to give that part of ourselves we fear might once again be received with indifference. — Larry Crabb

Employee fathers need to step up to the plate and put their family needs on the table. — James Levine

Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad, and that's why I call you dad, because you are so special to me. You taught me the game and you taught me how to play it right. — Wade Boggs

Our dad was a great guy and we will never forget him. — Lara St. John

Biology makes us Mothers & Fathers, whats in the heart makes us Mom's and Dad's — Kevin Heath

Undeservedly you will atone for the sins of your fathers. — Horace

I grew up watching my father make plates that featured penises as centerpieces. Pink, proud, and stiff, encircled by cerulean Greek key, Dad's creations made me feel scared and small. I saw a private part of the man I could not measure up to. At six years old, I lived in a world shaded by his ceramic glazes. There was love and color, but anger, too, in the way he kneaded his clay, palms pounding the rich, wet earth into shapes of his choosing. — Royal Young

A father carries pictures where his money used to be. — Steve Martin

My Dad is my hero. — Harry Connick Jr.

Fathers teach their best lessons to their children
by the way they handle life when confronted with adversities. — Lynda Lovejoy

The fundamental defect of fathers, in our competitive society, is that they want their children to be a credit to them. — Bertrand Russell

Why shouldn't Mom trust me, Dad" Why are you so determined to make me out to be the bad guy all the time?" I stared at the side of his face, willing him to make eye contact. He didn't. "I've been doing really good late and you don't even care."
"Yet you still managed to get into trouble tonight," he said.
"You have no idea what happened tonight," I said, my voice ratcheting up a notch. "All you know is that, because I was involved, I'm somehow guilty of something. You could at least pretend to care, you know. You could at least try to understand."
Dad gave a sardonic little laugh. "I'll tell you what I understand," he said. "I understand that when you're left to your own devices you get into trouble, that's what I understand. I understand I was trying to have a happy, restful evening with Briley and once again you screwed it up. — Jennifer Brown

There are many things for which I owe gratitude to my dad. Most of all, I am grateful to the only man who could love my mother more than me. — Ron Mayes

When it comes to Father's Day, I will remember my dad for both being there to nurture me and also for the times he gave me on my own to cultivate my own interests and to nurture my own spirit. — Jennifer Grant

My role model is my dad. — Seann William Scott

Fathers were supposed to be invulnerable - but that attitude was childish, he now saw. Irritatingly, he might have to change his outlook. He could no longer be merely indignant and resentful. He was not the only sufferer. Dad had hurt him, but he had hurt Dad as well, and they were both responsible. Feeling responsible was not as comfortable as feeling outraged. — Ken Follett

We drove on in silence, Dad shaking his head in disgust every few minutes. I stared at him, wondering how it was we got to this place. How the same man who held his infant daughter and kissed her tiny face could one day be so determined to shut her out of his life, out of his heart. How, even when she reacyhed out to him in distress - Please, Dad, come get me, come save me - all he could do was accuse her. How that same daughter could look at him and feel nothing but contempt and blame and resentment, because that's all that radiated off of him for so many years and it had become contagious. — Jennifer Brown

Even Dad likes it," said Caddy, and her father agreed that he did. In a way. Being a broad-minded, tolerant, artistic sort of person. Or so people told him ...
"Oh, yes?" said Saffron, rolling her eyes.
"Yes," said Bill, sounding a little bit peeved. "So you thank your lucky stars, my girl, because in some families you would have come home to very big trouble! A nose stud! At your age! If you come down with blood poisoning, don't blame me! — Hilary McKay

Dad!" I said, trying to get his attention. "It is so official you are a bad father. Good fathers do not shoot their daughters!"
I crossed my arms and brought out the big guns. "I am so telling Mom when I die. — Darynda Jones

Because Dad told you he'd be here forever.
Because I thought forever was like Mars -- far away. — Kwame Alexander

I think that my strong determination for justice comes from the very strong, dynamic personality of my father ... I have rarely ever met a person more fearless and courageous than my father ... The thing that I admire most about my dad is his genuine Christian character. He is a man of real integrity, deeply committed to moral and ethical principles. He is conscientious in all of his undertakings ... If I had a problem I could always call Daddy. — Martin Luther King Jr.

When you're a dad, there's no one above you. If I don't do something that has to be done, who is going to do it? — Jonathan Safran Foer

A father is not to act harshly in word or deed toward his children, goad them to frustration and anger, discourage or demean them, neglect them, or harm them in any way. He is instead to be a blessing from the Lord to his children by taking responsibility to raise them rather than leaving it to the mother and various institutions, such as schools, churches, foster care systems, adoption agencies, and prisons. In short, fathers are supposed to be Pastor Dad, actively involved in the development of every aspect of their children's growth with love, humility, and wisdom. — Mark Driscoll

Your mother said that Fraser sent her back to me, knowing that I would protect her
and you ... And like him, perhaps I send you back, knowing
as he knew of me
that he will protect you with his life. I love you forever, Brianna. I know whose child you truly are. With all my love, Dad. — Diana Gabaldon

Dad, wherever you are, you are gone but you will never be forgotten. — Conrad Hall

It's an ongoing joy being a dad. — Liam Neeson

The greatest tribute a boy can give to his father is to say, "When I grow up, I want to be just like my dad." It is a convicting responsibility for us fathers and grandfathers. — Billy Graham

Daughters aren't trash you can toss away, Dad. I had to deal with the mess you left. — Katherine McIntyre

The greatest gift I ever had
Came from God; I call him Dad! — John Walter Bratton

A father knows his child's heart, as only a child can know his fathers. — Kazuo Koike

Dad had once said, Trust your mind, Rob. If it smells like shit but has writing across it that says Happy Birthday and a candle stuck down in it, what is it?
Is there icing on it? he'd said.
Dad had done that thing of squinting his eyes when an answer was not quite there yet. — George Saunders

A great father is one whose children look up to him rather than away from him. — Richelle E. Goodrich

[W]hen I told my dad why I was calling, he just said, 'Honey, you're so beautiful it doesn't matter what you wear.' I wondered how many dads in America were, at that very moment, giving their daughters the same useless advice mine was giving me. — Melissa Kantor

Babies don't need fathers, but mothers do. Someone who is taking care of a baby needs to be taken care of. — Amy Heckerling

My sisters and I can still recite Dad's grilling rules: Rule No. 1: Dad is in charge. Rule No. 2: Repeat Rule No. 1. — Connie Schultz

My dad used to say 'Always fight fire with fire,' which is probably why he got thrown out of the the fire brigade. — Harry Hill

Hello,Dad."
"Well,well,well, so you're still alive." The booming, full-bodied voice was not so subtly laced with sarcasm. "Your mother and I thought you'd met with some fatal accident."
Alan managed to keep the grin out of his voice. "I nicked myself shaving last week.How are you?"
"He asks how I am!" Daniel heaved a sigh that should have been patended for long-suffering fathers everywhere. "I wonder you even remember who I am. But that's all right-it doesn't matter about me.Your mother, now, she's been expecting her son to call. Her firstborn."
Alan leaned back.How often had he cursed fate for making him the eldest and giving his father that neat little phrase to needle him with? Of course, he remembered philosophically, Daniel had phrases for Rena and Caine as well-the only daughter,the youngest son.It was all relative. — Nora Roberts

My dad is my best friend, my father, and my boss. When I do something that is exciting and he likes it, it feels three times as good as you can imagine. — David Lauren

I was eleven when my father left, so neither of us really knew our fathers. I'd met mine of course, but then I only knew my dad as a child knows a parent, as a sort of crude outline filled in with one or two colors. I'd never seen my father scared or cry. I'd never heard him admit to any wrongdoing. I have no idea what he dreamed of. And once I'd seen a smile pinned to one cheek and darkness to the other when my mum had yelled at him. Now he was gone, and I was left with just an impression - one of male warmth, big arms, and loud laughter. — Lloyd Jones

Some musicians I know are incredible fathers. Like Keith Richards. A fantastic dad. — Jack Bruce

Henri held herself as if only her arms could keep her pieced together, and I saw that behind all her fake control - throwing herself at a teacher, carving our dad out of her heart - was something fragile. I wish we'd seen it sooner - my dad and Mr. Flynn, they had a responsibility to see it, to do better. Those moments were my sister spinning out. — Jessica Taylor

I mean, I look at my dad. He was twenty when he started having a family, and he was always the coolest dad. He did everything for his kids, and he never made us feel like he was pressured. I know that it must be a great feeling to be a guy like that. — Adam Sandler

My dad's not here, but he's watching in heaven. — Bubba Watson

The work that I've been trying to do with violence against women and children comes from seeing quite a bit of violence. I just think it's important that we try to help the young boys who are watching the fathers do it - because if it's OK for the fathers to do it, then these young boys are watching their dads and going, well, nothing's happening to them, so maybe this is OK. But actually, this violence needs to stop in the sandpits. — Kelly LeBrock

You know, fathers just have a way of putting everything together. — Erika Cosby

Dad, despite the fact you can be a right grumpy bastard, I'm so incredibly grateful to have you in my life. — K.A. Hill

Dads. Do you not realize that your child needs to feel your skin on his? Do you not realize the incredible and powerful bond that skin on skin contact with your daughter will give you? Do you not understand the permanent mental connections that are made when you stroke your son's bare back or rub your daughter's bare tummy while you tell bedtime stories? And if any idiot says anything about that being inappropriate, you're gonna get kicked in the face, first by me, and then by every other good dad out there. Touching your child is your duty as a father. — Dan Pearce

In the shop, breathing the scent of dusty grease and oil; in the old house, staring into the living room where Dad and Jake used to take naps together on the couch; in the sheep barn, remembering the joy implicit in so much baaing life; in every inch of the farm, I recalled my father's presence. — Julene Bair

Rich men's sons are seldom rich men's fathers. — Herbert Kaufman

The best fathers have the softest, sweetest hearts. In other words, great dads are real marshmallows. — Richelle E. Goodrich

If your dad is anything like mine, then you have no clue what to buy him for Father's Day. The only Father's Day tradition in my family is the annual conversation he and I have where I say, 'Hey, Dad, what do you want for Father's Day this year?' and he says, 'Nothing.' Then I ask my mom what I should get him and she says, 'He likes sandalwood soap, dangly jewelry and Chanel No. 5 perfume.' — Michael Showalter

Sons have always a rebellious wish to be disillusioned by that which charmed their fathers. — Aldous Huxley

One of the greatest titles in the world is parent, and one of the biggest blessings in the world is to have parents to call mom and dad. — Jim DeMint

I'm a good dad; I spend a lot of time with my kids. — Steve Zahn

I know that not every family is a clean-cut nuclear Mom and Dad at home situation - but I think every father needs to do whatever he can to be present in the lives of his kids. If you are in a situation where you have not been - fight for it. Don't give up till you get it. Don't be a jerk about it - don't "fight" mom - but "fight" whatever things tell you to just give up. Send cards, make phone calls, pay your support, and do whatever you can to be present in the lives of your children. — Josh Hatcher

Few sons are like their fathers - many are worse, few better. — Homer

I started off as many fathers do. I enjoyed the good bits, but I was wary of the responsibility. But now I love being a dad. — Noel Gallagher

My father, I never knew, except for this one time when he threw a ball and told me to go fetch it.
"Dad," I said. "Am I a dog?"
"Lydia," he said. "I apologize. — Jaclyn Moriarty

My dad, like any coach, has always stressed the fundamentals. He taught me responsibility, accountability, and the importance of hard work. — Steve Young

Dads. Do you honestly expect anybody to believe that you can't find 20 minutes to step away from your computer or turn off the television to play with your child? It has to happen every single day. Do you not understand that children will hinge their entire facet of trust on whether or not their dad plays with them and how involved he is when he plays with them? Do you know the damage you do by not playing with your children every day? — Dan Pearce

Rolando pursed his lips and sighed. "Just be careful."

"Why, because her father carries a gun?" Isaac said. "Aren't you the one who always said guns don't shoot people?"

"No, it was you who said that." Rolando corrected his son. "I've said fathers with guns and beautiful daughters shoot people. Boys in particular."

"You worry too much, dad."

"One day, when you are a father, you will understand. — Felix Alexander

Beautiful is the man who leaves a legacy that of shared love and life. It is he who transfers meaning, assigns significance and conveys in his loving touch the fine art and gentle shaping of a life. This man shall be called, Father. — Stella Payton

I am far from a perfect dad. And I always will be. But I'm a damn good dad, and my son will always feel bigger than anything life can throw at him. Why? Because I get it. I get the power a dad has in a child's life, and in a child's level of self-belief. I get that everything I ever do and ever say to my son will be absorbed, for good or for bad. — Dan Pearce

But fathers are soft on daughters. Look how Dad favors Angela. He gave her ten times more. Because she reminded him of Mae West. He was always smiling at her boobs. He wasn't aware of it. Mother and I saw it. — Saul Bellow

Another thing I liked about my Dad at church: he did his sleeping at home. He never used the church as an adult nursery. — Vance Havner

Being Chinese immigrants in the United States, it was important for my parents to maintain ties that went back a long time. They led by example. My dad didn't bring his work pressures home. We were always aware of them and would go as kids to his office and run around. But when he came home, he was able to leave things behind, at least from our perspective, and focus on us. — Chien Chung Pei

My dad has always taught me these words: care and share. — Tiger Woods

Every dad, if he takes time out of his busy life to reflect upon his fatherhood, can learn ways to become an even better dad. — Jack Baker

If I could choose from all the fathers in the world, Dad, I'd choose you! — John Walter Bratton

To her, the name of father was another name for love. — Fanny Fern

People see Archie Bunker everywhere. Particularly girls; poor girls, rich girls, all kinds of girls are always coming up to me and telling me that Archie is just like their dad. — Carroll O'Connor

Dad turned to Kurt. "You must be the boy I keep hearing about."
"I guess so," Kurt said.
"Well, Kurt," Dad said, "just remember that I specialize in tying things to rockets and sending them into space. And sometimes they accidentally blow up."
"Dad."
"You'll have no reason to kill me, sir."
"Kurt. You make sure she doesn't cry, okay?"
Dad smiled happily at Kurt and then sagely at me. — Robison Wells

I've watched my dad move our family from extreme poverty to extreme wealth and then everywhere in between. Never once did I see or hear him be anything but a cheerleader for the accomplishments of others. It didn't matter if he was down or up in life, he wanted everybody around him to succeed. I've even watched him praise the very people that have tried to destroy him over the years and then very publicly wish them success and happiness. He taught me the enthusiasm that should always come at the success of others. He constantly taught me that when others succeed, it gives us all more opportunity to succeed. He taught me that when there is conflict, minor or major, you can almost always walk away at the end with a handshake. — Dan Pearce

I can definitely say the older I've got the better I've become at being a dad and a husband. — Rod Stewart

The nicest Father's Day surprise of all for Dad would be if you handed him a box, and he unwrapped it, and there, inside, sitting on a bed of folded tissue, was the pair of his undershorts that somebody threw away six months ago (without asking Dad) because they had reached the stage where they were 3 percent undershorts and 97 percent holes. Dad misses those undershorts. They were his Faithful Undershorts Companion. — Dave Barry

Dave put a lot of thought into picking out the books his dad would like least. — Theric Jepson

The truth is, Ben couldn't be a more legitimate dad. Everything he ever did for Cheyenne was solely for her benefit and done out of the purest, most unselfish love a man could have for his child. He was never obligated by biology, but chose to stand up and be the dad she needed and deserved, even when doing so required much more than most fathers are ever asked to give; much more than many fathers would ever be willing to give. And he did it because he loved her so much that his heart couldn't bear to do anything less. — Rachel Jensby

Fathers in today's modern families can be so many things. — Oliver Hudson

By today's standards, my dad wouldn't be considered the greatest dad, and I'm sure his dad wouldn't be considered the greatest dad either. I'm sure my grandfather's dad would be considered an even worse dad. It probably goes all the way back to cavemen fathers just eating their children. What I'm trying to say is, dads are getting better. Either that or we are all slowly being turned into women. At least that's what my gynecologist thinks. — Jim Gaffigan

Without my dad, I wouldn't be here. — Maria Sharapova

My dad's my best mate, and he always will be. — Cher Lloyd

Hogan studied the kids around him and their relationships with their fathers. "I've watched kids who had no father figure, kids who had bad father figures, kids who had average situations, kids who had incredible situations, and I've watched the effect on their lives in terms of confidence, in terms of direction, in terms of decision making, in terms of influence, peer pressure. And I have deduced in my heart that the dad is the greatest influence. — David Thomas

My dad was my best friend and greatest role model. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend. — Tiger Woods

The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get. — Timothy J. Russert

There is too much fathering going on just now and there is no doubt about it fathers are depressing. — Gertrude Stein

I've seen fathers criticizing their sons the moment a game's over. Not my dad. It doesn't matter if I threw an interception or a Hail Mary, he always says, 'Good job, son, I'm proud of you.' Then he shakes my hand and gives me a hug. Every time. — Ben Roethlisberger

Hey Jade?' He called out holding two packages of maxi pads.
I shook my head violently to stop Dad from talking, but from where he stood, I doubted he could see I was talking to a boy. A mildly annoying, but nonetheless cute boy.
'Do you want wings or no wings?'
It was official.
This was shaping up to be the Most. Embarrassing. Day. Ever. — Helene Boudreau

Henry James once defined life as that predicament which precedes death, and certainly nobody owes you a debt of honor or gratitude for getting him into that predicament. But a child does owe his father a debt, if Dad, having gotten him into this peck of trouble, takes off his coat and buckles down to the job of showing his son how best to crash through it. — Clarence Budington Kelland

All Pro Dad is an organization that started down in Tampa in 1997. And it was just a group of us who felt like we weren't doing as good a job as our fathers did in connecting with kids and being there and being involved in their lives, working and coaching and spending all the time we had to. We just felt badly. — Tony Dungy

For a man, there's a big responsibility that comes with having a boy because men are made by their fathers. If you've got a good productive man around it's better. I have such a close relationship with my dad and that responsibility to produce a good man is something I think about. — Rafe Spall

I'd love to know how Dad saw me when I was 6. I'd love to know a hundred things. When a parent dies, a filing cabinet full of all the fascinating stuff also ceases to exist. I never imagined how hungry I'd be one day to look inside it. — David Mitchell