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.

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

He that raises a large family, does indeed, while he lives to observe them, stand…a broader mark for sorrow; but then he stands a broader mark for pleasure too. 

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

Families, I hate you! Shut-in homes, closed doors, jealous possessions of happiness.

Familiarity breeds contempt—and children.

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

In peace, children inter their parents; war violates the order of nature and causes parents to inter their children.

He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.

As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.

Again, men in general desire the good, and not merely what their fathers had.