The clew of our destiny, wander where we will, lies at the foot of the cradle.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
—Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) Spanish Painter, Sculptor, Artist
Between the age limits of nine and fourteen there occur maidens who, to certain bewitched travelers, twice or many times older than they, reveal their true nature which is not human, but nymphic (that is, demoniac); and these chosen creatures I propose to designate as “nymphets.”
—Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977) Russian-born American Novelist
The smallest children are nearest to God, as the smallest planets are nearest the sun.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
Re raising kids: Love, without discipline, isn’t.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
I love children, especially when they cry, for then someone takes them away
—Nancy Mitford (1904–73) English Novelist, Biographer
Infancy conforms to nobody: all conform to it, so that one babe commonly makes four or five out of the adults who prattle and play to it.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Adults are obsolete children.
—Theodor Seuss Geisel (‘Dr. Seuss’) (1904–91) American Children’s Books Writer, Writer, Cartoonist, Animator
Oh happy we, the first-born heirs of nature,
For whom the Heavenly Sun delays his light!
He by the sweets of every mortal creature
Tempers eternal beauty to our sight;
And by the glow upon love’s earthly feature
Maketh the path of our departure bright.
—George Edward Woodberry (1855–1930) American Literary Critic, Poet
Children are the anchors that hold a mother to life
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
I have never understood the fear of some parents about babies getting mixed up in the hospital. What difference does it make as long as you get a good one?
—Heywood Broun (1888–1939) American Journalist
Never have children, only grand children.
—Gore Vidal (1925–48) American Novelist, Essayist, Journalist, Playwright
All children alarm their parents, if only because you are forever expecting to encounter yourself.
—Gore Vidal (1925–48) American Novelist, Essayist, Journalist, Playwright
Do not handicap your children by making their lives easy.
—Robert A. Heinlein (1907–88) American Science Fiction Writer
But the child’s sob curses deeper in the silence than the strong man in his wrath!
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–61) English Poet
Often and often afterwards, the beloved Aunt would ask me why I had never told anyone how I was being treated. Children tell little more than animals, for what comes to them they accept as eternally established.
—Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) British Children’s Books Writer, Short story, Novelist, Poet, Journalist
There never was a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him to sleep.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Alas, regardless of their doom,
the little victims play!
No sense have they of ills to come,
Nor care beyond to-day.
—Thomas Gray (1716–71) English Poet, Book Collector
Each child is an adventure into a better life—an opportunity to change the old pattern and make it new.
—Hubert Humphrey (1911–78) American Head of State, Politician
Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Children are God’s apostles, sent forth, day by day, to preach of love, and hope and peace.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Children have a natural antipathy to books – handicraft should be the basis of education. Boys and girls should be taught to use their hands to make something, and they would be less apt to destroy and be mischievous.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted.
—Garrison Keillor (b.1942) American Author, Humorist, Radio Personality
There is a sanctity involved with bringing a child into this world: it is better than bombing one out of it.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
In praising or loving a child, we love and praise not that which is, but that which we hope for.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Children and drunks always speak the truth.
—Common Proverb
I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
You know your children are growing up when they stop asking you where they came from and refuse to tell you where they’re going.
—P. J. O’Rourke (1947–2022) American Journalist, Political Satirist
The conscience of children is formed by the influences that surround them; their notions of good and evil are the result of the moral atmosphere they breathe.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist