Henpecked Frank Costanza from “Seinfeld.” Brainy Abe Weissman from “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Totally mortifying blabbermouth Jack Geller from “Friends.” Yes, dads come in all stripes, and often with some good (and quirky) advice. From the cerebral to the silly, we asked for your favorite words of wisdom from your dads in honor of Father’s Day. You more than delivered.
“If you can’t be good, be discreet.”
—Emily
“If you are ever in a bar and a fight breaks out, find a wall and put your back against it.”
—Michael
“Might be good to check your PSA.”
—Mark
“If work was supposed to be fun, you’d pay them.”
—Kerry
“Don’t get caught!”
—Jen
“The masses are asses.”
—Drew
“It doesn’t matter whether you win or lose, as long as nobody knows you’re my kid.”
—Nestor
“As a grown adult, I give myself a curfew when attending a work social event that involves alcohol. My dad always said, ‘Nothing career-advancing happens after 10.’”
—Jennifer
Related
—Megan
“Man plans and God laughs.”
—Elissa
“If you don’t start saving, someday you’ll be 62, single and homeless!”
—Laurie
“My dad was into self-reliance, and his favorite saying was, ‘God made the world, but the Dutch made Holland!’”
—Judy
“Your health is your wealth.”
—John
“Never jump out of a perfectly good airplane, unless it’s on fire around you. My dad was a career Air Force officer and was very clear about this.”
—Brendan
“Make a decision and make it work.”
—Erin
“If you’re going to do something, do it the proper way, even if it takes more time. Usually regarding building or fixing something.”
—Daniel
“Always keep your eye on the ball. But not literally.”
—Andy
“Don’t worry; work.”
—Devra
“Take care of yourself first.”
—Eileen
“Spit on it. Which I came to see as a metaphor for deal with it, dust yourself off and keep on going.”
—Heidi
“Keep your sense of humor.”
—Evan
“Never touch anything twice: Spoken about washing dishes but applies to inboxes, Kondo-izing and pretty much every task imaginable.”
—Kathy
“Always give of yourself to others. Be charitable and kind.”
—Daria
“Do not ever try cocaine.”
—Matt
“People will come and go. The good ones stay.”
—Kendra
“Don’t drink cheap beer.”
—Miriam
“Normal is overrated.”
—Francesca
“Take things one day at a time.”
—Angela
“You don’t get anywhere sitting on your ass.”
—Wendy
“Never judge people by their relatives.”
—Paul
“Have money automatically put from your paycheck into a savings account or 401K, even if it’s just a small amount, and increase it when you can. Also: There’s nothing cheaper than an old reliable car. And: You’re never too old for a nap.”
—Lisa
“Take the money.”
—Jes
“Always, always, always be kind to secretaries and custodians.”
—Amy
“Don’t ever beg a man to love you.”
—Lisa
“If you tuck in your sheets army-style, you’ll be toasty at night.”
—Ande
“Tell the truth—then you won’t have to remember your lies.”
—Debbi
“The customer is always right!”
—Jodi
“Nobody talks, everybody walks.”
—Eve
“The worst they can say is no. My dad, who passed away on Father’s Day 2011, wanted me to never feel nervous or intimidated asking for things from a boss or instructor. It gave me courage, because if they said no, I could handle it.”
—Marjorie
“Never get good at anything you don’t wanna do.”
—Kris
“If they don’t know what you’re doing, they don’t know what you’re doing wrong.”
—Jonathan
“The harder you work, the luckier you get.”
—Dave
“Everything always works out. Perhaps not the way you expected, but it always works out.”
—Lisa
