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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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