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87 Best Father and Son Quotes to Explain Your Unique Bond

Create the perfect caption (especially on Father's Day) with one of these short, sweet and funny sayings.

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father carrying his little son on his shoulders while laughing and playing outside

There's something special about the bond between a father and son. From day one, dads are their sons' heroes and sons are their fathers’ pride and joy. Although the relationship dynamics may shift as the son grows into adulthood, the love between a father and son never fades.

In fact, it only strengthens as common interests grow and your relationship blossoms. This Father’s Day or any day, show him how much he means to you by sharing these touching father and son quotes. Now that you’re an adult and maybe even a father yourself, you can appreciate all the things your dad or awesome step-dad did for you — big or small.

Whether he was teaching you how to ride a bike or helping you recover from your first heartbreak, your father has always had your back. So, grab him a gift, add a quote from this list to a card and spend the day with him. Show him how much you appreciate his support.

1

Sigmund Freud

father and son quotes
Good Housekeeping

"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection."

2

William Shakespeare

father and son quotes
Good Housekeeping

"It is a wise father that knows his own child."

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3

Unknown

father and son quotes
Good Housekeeping

"The valuable lessons taught by a father will last a lifetime."

4

Robert Frost

father and son quotes
Good Housekeeping

"You don't have to deserve your mother's love. You have to deserve your father's. He's more particular."

RELATED: Best Happy Father’s Day Messages to Write in Dad's Card

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5

Susan Gale

father and son quotes
Good Housekeeping

"A father's smile has been known to light up a child's entire day."

6

Dimitri Stoneheart

father and son quotes
Good Housekeeping

"A father doesn't tell you that he loves you. He shows you."

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7

Dan Pearce

father and son quotes
Good Housekeeping

"The greatest mark of a father is how he treats his children when no one is looking."

8

Jean Paul

father and son quotes
Good Housekeeping

"What a father says to his children is not heard by the world, but it will be heard by posterity."

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9

Terri Guillemets

father and son quotes
Good Housekeeping

"Every son quotes his father, in words and in deeds."

10

Dave Attrell

father and son quotes
Good Housekeeping

"When you're young, you think your dad is Superman. Then you grow up, and realize he's just a regular guy who wears a cape."

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11

Lydia M. Child

father son quotes
Good Housekeeping

“Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father.”

12

Wayne Rooney

father son quotes
Good Housekeeping

“Becoming a dad means you have to be a role model for your son and be someone he can look up to.”

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13

Wade Boggs

father son quotes
Good Houskeeping

“Anyone can be a father. 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.”

14

Unknown

father son quotes
Good Houskeeping

“The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams and aspirations he sets not only for himself, but for his family.”

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15

Unknown

father son quotes
Good Housekeeping

“Good fathers make good sons.”

16

Unknown

father son quotes
Good Housekeeping

“Giving your son a skill is better than giving him one thousand pieces of gold.”

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17

Unknown

father son quotes
Good Housekeeping

“Being a great father is like shaving. No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow.”

18

Unknown

father son quotes
Good Houskeeping

“I will always need my son, no matter what age I am. My son has made me laugh, made me proud, made me cry, seen me cry, hugged me tight, seen me fail, cheered me up, kept me on my toes, and at times driven me crazy, But my son is a promise that I will have a friend forever!”

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19

Unknown

father son quotes
Good Housekeeping

“A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.”

20

Umberto Eco

father son quotes
Good Housekeeping

“I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.

Headshot of Selena Barrientos
Selena Barrientos
Entertainment & News Editor

Selena is the entertainment and news editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers the latest on TV, movies and celebrities. In addition to writing and editing entertainment news, she also spotlights the Hispanic and Latinx community through her work. She is a graduate of CUNY Hunter College with a B.A. in journalism and creative writing.

Headshot of Cameron Jenkins
Cameron Jenkins
Staff Writer

Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.

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