100 Meaningful and Loving Dad Quotes

By Stephanie Kirby

Writer, Entrepreneur and Inspirational quote curator

Published March 6, 2023

There’s nothing quite like a loving father. These dad quotes show you why.

They can be known for being strict and tough or kind and loving.

Sometimes they are super corny and other times they are extremely serious.

Their presence or absence has an unmistakable impact on their family.

They are dads.

According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, the vast majority of fathers in the United States report feeling fulfilled and satisfied with their role as a parent, indicating the significance and value of fatherhood.

This suggests that fatherhood can be a meaningful and rewarding experience for many men.

Whether you’re looking for quotes to help pay tribute to your dad or you’re about to be a dad and are trying to get your head wrapped around the change that is coming to your life, there is a lot to be taken away from these dad quotes.

From the wisdom dads can pass on to their sons to how they protect their daughters, good fathers are a special bunch.

Don’t forget to also check out these father daughter quotes honoring their unbreakable bond.

If you like this article, we suggest you explore our most popular quotes article, a list of short inspirational quotes for daily encouragement.

Read more related content on our inspirational quotes category page.

Being a dad quotes

According to a study by the American Psychological Association, father-child relationships have a unique and powerful impact on children’s mental and emotional health, emphasizing the potential importance of positive and nurturing father-child relationships.

This highlights the role of fathers in promoting children’s well-being.

1. “Never is a man more of a man than when he is the father of a newborn.” – Matthew McConaughey

2. “Being a father is a huge responsibility, but a satisfying one.” – Pierce Brosnan

3. “It is much easier to become a father than to be one.” – Kent Nerburn

4. “It is a wise father that knows his own child.” – William Shakespeare

5. “Of all the titles I’ve been privileged to have, Dad has always been the best.” – Ken Norton

6. “The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get.” – Tim Russert

7. “My father was my teacher. But most importantly he was a great dad.” – Beau Bridges

8. “A father carries pictures where his money used to be.” – Steve Martin

9. “Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.” – Anne Geddes

10. “My daughter got me a ‘World’s Best Dad’ mug. So we know she’s sarcastic.” – Bob Odenkirk

Dad quotes on what’s great about having kids

According to a study by the University of Oxford, fathers involved in their children’s lives are more likely to report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction, suggesting that fatherhood can be a source of personal fulfillment and meaning.

This highlights the potential benefits of positive and engaged fathering.

11. “A child enters your home and for the next twenty years makes so much noise you can hardly stand it. The child departs, leaving the house so silent you think you are going mad.” – John Andrews Holmes

12. “To me, having kids is the ultimate success in life. I want to be most successful at being a good father.” – Nick Lachey

13. “My favorite thing about being a father is just seeing my kids grow and do some of the same things that I did when I was a kid, man.” – LeBron James

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

15. “Becoming a father, I think it inevitably changes your perspective of life. I don’t get nearly enough sleep. And the simplest things in life are completely satisfying. I find you don’t have to do as much. Like you don’t go on as many outings.” – Hugh Jackson

16. “I remember a very important lesson that my father gave me when I was twelve or thirteen. He said, ‘You know, today I welded a perfect seam and I signed my name to it.’ And I said, ‘But, Daddy, no one’s going to see it!’ And he said, ‘Yeah, but I know it’s there.’ So when I was working in kitchens, I did good work.” – Toni Morrison

17. “I could not do my job without the stability of the family. Stability at home is so important to me. I want to bring up my children in a happy, stable, secure world and that is so important to both of us as parents.” – Prince William

18. “My biggest achievement – besides being drafted into the NBA – was becoming a father. Being a father has made me experience things that have contributed to my maturity and personal growth.” – Dwayne Wade

19. “I have a stepson, five biological children, grandchildren, and a couple of great-grandchildren. And the treasure of all this: I still get a little jump every time I hear ‘Dad.’” – Larry King

20. “Kids put life into perspective. Life happens and you get bad news sometimes, or things don’t go your way at work—for me that might mean I lose a game or not play well—but that doesn’t affect my mood from day to day. I love going home and seeing the smiles on my daughters’ faces being happy to see me, and that makes everything all right.” – Steph Curry

Dad quotes from their children

21. “Being a daddy’s girl is like having permanent armor for the rest of your life.” – Marinela Reka

22. “Daddy, thanks for being my hero, chauffeur, financial support, listener, life mentor, friend, guardian, and simply being there every time I need a hug.” – Agatha Stephanie Lin

24. “My father didn’t tell me how to live. He lived and let me watch him do it.” – Clarence Budington Kelland

25. “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” – Jim Valvan

26. “My Daddy was my hero. He was always there for me when I needed him. He listened to me and taught me so many things. But most of all he was fun.” – Bindi Irwin

27. “When I’m at my best, I am my father’s daughter.” – Unknown

28. “I am not ashamed to say that no man I ever met was my father’s equal, and I never loved any other man as much.” – Hedy Lamarr

29. “It is admirable for a man to take his son fishing, but there is a special place in heaven for the father who takes his daughter shopping.” – John Sinor

30. “This is not to say that becoming a father automatically makes you a good father. Fatherhood, like marriage, is a constant struggle against your limitations and self-interests. But the urge to be a perfect father is there because your child is a perfect gift.” – Kent Nerburn

I love my dad quotes

31. “My dad believed in me, even when I didn’t. He always knew I could do this. I’m sure that everyone in Reading remembers how much he talked about me. I thought that was sweet, but really I just wasn’t as sure it would happen. So, I just love my dad for believing in his little girl.” – Taylor Swift

32. “I love my dad; I’m a daddy’s girl all the way.” – Molly Quinn

33. “I’m always going to love my father.” – Floyd Mayweather Jr.

34. “I love my daddy. My daddy’s everything. I hope I can find a man that will treat me as good as my dad.” – Lady Gaga

35. “I love my father as the stars- he’s a bright shining example and a happy twinkling in my heart.” – Terri Guillemets

36. “I love my dad, although I’m definitely critical of him sometimes, like when his pants are too tight. But I love him so much and I try to be really supportive of him.” – Liv Tyler

37. “I love my dad so much. I don’t have that cool thing where I have dad issues.” – Max Winkler

38. “My father did everything for me. He was awesome.” – Jenson Button

39. “My dad was always my hero, my best friend.” – Dhani Harrison

40. “My father was a great man. He was a great warrior. He was a great American. I admired him for all of those things. But I love him because he was a great father.” – Meghan McCain

Funny dad quotes

41. “Being a dad is my most important job because it not only affects my children but their children and many generations to come.” – Mark Dominik

42. “I asked my dad for a BB gun, but he said we were a tribe of worriers, not warriors.” – Hilary Price

43. “Men should always change diapers. It’s a very rewarding experience. It’s mentally cleansing. It’s like washing dishes, but imagine if the dishes were your kids, so you really love the dishes.” – Chris Martin

44. “By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong.” – Charles Wadsworth

45. “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.” – Dave Attell

46. “I love being a dad. I’d have more kids if I could. I’d take a couple more, one or two more before I croak.” – Richie Sambora

47. “We see a McDonald’s. We got so excited. We started chanting, ‘McDonald’s, McDonald’s, McDonald’s!’ And my dad pulled into the drive thru and we started cheering. And then, he ordered one black coffee for himself… and kept driving. My dad is cold-blooded.” – John Mulaney

48. “When you got more than one kid, you just wake up angry.” – Kevin Hart

49. “My father had a profound influence on me. He was a lunatic.” – Spike Milligan

50. “Everybody thinks their dad’s jokes are corny. I don’t get a free pass on that. In fact, [my daughter] said to me once, ‘Most of your stuff isn’t funny at all. But I’m always surprised you make it work.’ I thought that was a pretty sophisticated way of attacking me.” – Judd Apatow

More dad quotes and sayings

51. “Sometimes I think my papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breathes, I hear the notes.” – Markus Zusak

52. “Let me say for now that we knew once the Creation was broken, true fathering would be much more lacking than mothering. Don’t misunderstand me, both are needed- but an emphasis on fathering is necessary because of the enormity of its absence.” – Wm. Paul Young

53. “The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature.” – Prevost Abbe

54. “Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father.” – Lydia Maria Child

55. “Someone once said that every man is trying to live up to his father’s expectations or make up for their father’s mistakes.” – Barack Obama

56. “A father’s tears and fears are unseen, his love is unexpressed, but his care and protection remain as a pillar of strength throughout our lives.” – Ama H.Vanniarachchy

57. “When you have kids, you’re responsible for their mistakes. Their mistakes, their heartaches, their happiness… you take everything on yourself!” – Zidrou

58. “A father is someone who uses their strength to protect their family, not someone who uses their strength to hurt their family.” – De philosopher DJ Kyos

59. “Dad, I just noticed the superman you are, instead of the superman I thought you were.” – Vineet Raj Kapoor

60. “Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventures, story-tellers, and singers of songs.” – Pam Brown

Heartwarming Dad Quotes

61. “‘ Have fun’ is my message. Be silly. You’re allowed to be silly. There’s nothing wrong with it.” – Jimmy Fallon

62. “My father used to say that it’s never too late to do anything you wanted to do. And he said, ‘You never know what you can accomplish until you try.’” – Michael Jordan

63. “She did not stand alone, but what stood behind her, the most potent moral force in her life, was the love of her father.” – Harper Lee

64. “I talk and talk and talk, and I haven’t taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week.” – Maria Cuomo Cole

65. “Lately all my friends are worried they’re turning into their fathers. I’m worried I’m not.” – Dan Zevin

66. “Baby I paint the sky blue / My greatest creation was you.” – Jay-Z

67. “To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter.” – Euripides

68. “Fatherhood is the great thing that could ever happen. You can’t explain it until it happens—it’s like telling someone what water feels like before they’ve ever swam in it.” – Michael Bublé

69. “If the relationship of father to son could really be reduced to biology, the whole earth would blaze with the glory of fathers and sons.” – James A. Baldwin

70. “A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.” – Unknown

Dad Quotes To Celebrate The Hero In Your Life

71. “My dad always said, ‘Don’t worry what people think, because you can’t change it.’” ― Daisy Donovan

72. “My dad was a big believer in treating people well, oftentimes even when he himself wasn’t well.” ― Neil Cavuto

73. “My dad always told me: ‘Stop and look back and appreciate what you’ve done; stop and smell the flowers.’” ― Madchen Amick

74. “I’d like to thank ma da (dad)… my mum for doing’ aw ma washing.’” ― Charlie Flynn

75. “Our dad was a great guy and we will never forget him.” ― Lara St. John

76. “I realized I could run after finding out that my dad used to run and it gave me the morale that if he did it then maybe I could also run.” ― David Rudisha

77. “The only time I ever look good dancing is if I’m next to my dad at a wedding.” ― Cat Deeley

78. “Like my dad, I have a Christmas party most years. I like to celebrate and see as many people as possible.” ― Lauren Graham

79. “My Dad always told me ‘Flowers mean I’m sorry, chocolates mean I love you.’” ― Lauren Conrad

80. “My dad has always been extremely supportive in every decision I’ve made and much more interested in me picking what I wanted to do.” ― Colin Hanks

Dad quotes from daughter

81. “A girl’s first true love is her father.” – Marisol Santiago

82. “The greatest thing a father can do for his daughter is to love her mother.” – Elaine S. Dalton

83. “Dad is and always will be my living, breathing superhero.” – Bindi Irwin

84. “Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes.” – Gloria Naylor

85. “It was my father who taught me to value myself.” – Dawn French

86. “It doesn’t matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.” – Anne Sexton

87. “When my father didn’t have my hand, he had my back.” – Linda Poindexter

88. “I have never been a material girl. My father always told me never to love anything that cannot love you back.” – Imelda Marcos

89. “To her the name of father was another name for love.” – Fanny Fern

90. “There will always be a few people who have the courage to love what is untamed inside us. One of those men is my father.” – Alison Lohman

Dad Quotes to Celebrate the Love and Wisdom of Fatherhood

91. “Dad – a son’s first hero, a daughter’s first love.” ― John Walter Bratton

92. “The best thing about being a dad? Well, I think it’s just the thing that every man wants – to have a son and heir.” ― George Best

93. “If you love your dad, it’s tough when he dies. If you don’t like your dad, it’s tough when he dies. Because you lose that guy. Whatever you didn’t get, you miss. And what you did get, you miss.” ― Jimmy Iovine

94. “Being a Dad is the greatest, except for assembling things.” ― Conan O’Brien

95. “But there’s no substitute for a full-time dad. Dads who are fully engaged with their kids overwhelmingly tend to produce children who believe in themselves and live full lives.” ― Tony Dungy

96. “All societies that have survived have survived based on their ability to prepare their sons to be disposable, in war and at work–and therefore as dads.” ― Warren Farrell

97. “The best fathers have the softest, sweetest hearts. In other words, great dads are real marshmallows.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich

98. “A dad stands tallest when he kneels to pray with his children.” ― Rick Warren

99. “When you’re a dad, there’s no one above you. If I don’t do something that has to be done, who is going to do it?” ― Jonathan Safran Foer

100. “Young people know how important it is for dads to be involved in their lives. As I travel the country and talk with students, some of them tell me that their lives would be totally different if their father was around.” ― Arne Duncan

Which of these dad quotes is your favorite?

Becoming a father is known to change a man.

It can cause him to see things from an entirely new perspective that he didn’t know existed before.

He has a new sense of responsibility for the life that he is taking care of.

Whether, you’re a dad to biological children or you’ve stepped in the father figure role for another child, the job is an important one that can bring great rewards.

If your dad is active in your life, call him up and thank him for the things he’s done for you.

If he’s no longer in your life, take a moment to fondly remember him.

Or, if you didn’t have a father figure in your life, call the person that worked to fill that role and show your gratitude today.

If you enjoyed this article, you should also read Good Dad’s Guide to Phenomenal Fatherhood.