Archive

Quotes

The greatest thing in family life is to take a hint when a hint is intended—and not to take a hint when a hint isn’t intended.

—Robert Frost, 1939

Every adolescent has that dream every century has that dream every revolutionary has that dream, to destroy the family.  

—Gertrude Stein, 1940

Few sons are equal to their fathers; most fall short, all too few surpass them. 

—Homer, c. 750 BC

The thing that impresses me most about America is the way parents obey their children.

—Edward, Duke of Windsor, 1957

All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his.

—Oscar Wilde, 1895

It’s frightening to think that you mark your children merely by being yourself… it seems unfair. You can’t assume the responsibility for everything you do—or don’t do.

—Simone de Beauvoir, 1966

There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.

—Michel de Montaigne, 1580

One race there is of men, one of gods, but from one mother we both draw our breath.

—Pindar, c. 450 BC

Mother died today. Or maybe it was yesterday, I don’t know. 

—Albert Camus, 1942

My mother protected me from the world and my father threatened me with it.

—Quentin Crisp, 1968

Motherhood is the strangest thing, it can be like being one’s own Trojan horse.

—Rebecca West, 1959
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