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40 Lovely Father’s Day Quotes That Perfectly Capture Dad

These Father's Day quotes perfectly express how much we love and appreciate our dads.

Happy Father's Day!RD.com

Heartfelt “Happy Father’s Day” quotes to share with your pop

It’s that time of year again when we honor our favorite man (and if you’re wondering “when is Father’s Day this year?” it’s Sunday, June 19). You may plan fun Father’s Day activities and snag a fabulous Father’s Day gift to celebrate your dad, but if you really want to express your love and appreciation for him, try sharing meaningful quotes that perfectly sum up your special relationship. For instance, the happy Father’s Day quotes listed below really capture how much you love your old man—and they may even make him a little teary-eyed!

Many notable people have spoken publicly about how important their father is to them, making for some beautiful father-son quotes, father-daughter quotes, Father’s Day quotes for a husband, and even some funny Father’s Day quotes—but this list of “Happy Father’s Day” quotes is mostly sentimental (with a few humorous ones sprinkled in). Your father may not be a man of many words, but he will surely love these wonderful sayings.

“Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes.”—Gloria NaylorRD.com

“Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes.” —Gloria Naylor. If you’re missing your dad, these “miss you” quotes can help you get through the emotions.

“My daddy was my hero—he was always there for me when I needed him”— Bindi Irwin RD.com

“My daddy was my hero—he was always there for me when I needed him.” —Bindi IrwinTalk about a sweet dad quote!

“Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.”—Anne GeddesRD.com

“Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.” —Anne Geddes. This would make a great Father’s Day message to share with him this year.

“"My father didn't do anything unusual. He did what dads are supposed to do—be there.”— Max LucadoRD.com

“My father didn’t do anything unusual. He did what dads are supposed to do—be there.” —Max Lucado. Looking to make dad laugh? Crack one of these dad jokes.

“The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get.”—Tim RussertRD.com

“The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get.” —Tim Russert. Bond with your dad on Father’s Day by streaming these Father’s Day movies.

"My dad's my best mate, and he always will be."— Cher LloydRD.com

“My dad’s my best mate, and he always will be.” —Cher Lloyd. Share these Father’s Day memes to get him laughing!

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

“Lately all my friends are worried they’re turning into their fathers. I’m worried I’m not.” —Dan Zevin. Procrastinating on getting your dad his Father’s Day gift? No problem—these last-minute Father’s Day gifts will get there just in time.

“It is so embarrassing how I went from a person who did not care about anyone’s children. Then you have them, and you brag about the same stuff that you never cared about. And you tell people, he’s got four teeth, like they care.”—Seth MeyersRD.com

“It is so embarrassing how I went from a person who did not care about anyone’s children. Then you have them, and you brag about the same stuff that you never cared about. And you tell people, he’s got four teeth, like they care.” —Seth Meyers. Speaking of caring—show your dad how much you care by giving him one of these personalized Father’s Day gifts.

“A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.”— UnknownRD.com

“A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.” —Unknown. Don’t forget to bookmark these Father’s Day gifts for first-time dads.

“The power of a dad in a child's life is unmatched.”—Justin RicklefsRD.com

“The power of a dad in a child’s life is unmatched.” —Justin Ricklefs. Other things that are unmatched: these funny Father’s Day gifts.

“No one in this world can love a girl more than her father.”—Michael RatnadeepakRD.com

“No one in this world can love a girl more than her father.” —Michael Ratnadeepak. Show him how much you care with one of these Father’s Day gifts from daughters.

“Being a dad isn’t just about eating a huge bag of gummy bears as your wife gives birth. It means being comfortable with the word hero.”—Ryan Reynolds RD.com

“Being a dad isn’t just about eating a huge bag of gummy bears as your wife gives birth. It means being comfortable with the word hero.” —Ryan Reynolds. Your stepdad can be your hero too—show him how much you care with these great Father’s Day gifts for stepdad.

"It's only when you grow up and step back from him—or leave him for your own home—it's only then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it."—Margaret TrumanRD.com

“It’s only when you grow up and step back from him—or leave him for your own home—it’s only then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it.” —Margaret Truman. These Father’s Day gift baskets make the perfect presents, by the way.

“I realized being a father is the greatest job I have ever had and the greatest job I will ever have.”—Dwayne “The Rock” JohnsonRD.com

“I realized being a father is the greatest job I have ever had and the greatest job I will ever have.” —Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Don’t forget about your grandfather this year—snag him one of these awesome (and useful) gifts for Grandpa.

“When you’re young, you think your dad is Superman. Then you grow up, and you realize he’s just a regular guy who wears a cape.”—Dave Attell RD.com

“When you’re young, you think your dad is Superman. Then you grow up, and you realize he’s just a regular guy who wears a cape.” —Dave Attell. Share these funny quotes with dad to get him laughing!

“I think back to the day I drove Michelle and a newborn Malia home from the hospital nearly 13 years ago—crawling along, miles under the speed limit, feeling the weight of my daughter’s future resting in my hands. I think about the pledge I made to her that day: that I would give her what I never had—that if I could be anything in life, I would be a good father.”—Barack ObamaRD.com

“I think back to the day I drove Michelle and a newborn Malia home from the hospital nearly 13 years ago—crawling along, miles under the speed limit, feeling the weight of my daughter’s future resting in my hands. I think about the pledge I made to her that day: that I would give her what I never had—that if I could be anything in life, I would be a good father.” —Barack Obama. What a relatable and uplifting quote about fatherhood.

“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.”—Billy GrahamRD.com

“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” —Billy Graham. Of course good moms are valuable assets too—share these mom quotes with your mother to show how much you care.

“Just taught my kids about taxes by eating 38% of their ice cream.”—Conan O'BrienRD.com

“Just taught my kids about taxes by eating 38 percent of their ice cream.” —Conan O’Brien. We love a funny family quote!

“The only way I can describe [fatherhood]—it sounds stupid, but—at the end of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, you know how his heart grows like five times? Everything is full; It’s just full all the time.”—Matt DamonRD.com

“The only way I can describe [fatherhood]—it sounds stupid, but—at the end of How the Grinch Sto le Christmas, you know how his heart grows like five times? Everything is full. It’s just full all the time.” —Matt Damon. These Father’s Day quotes for husbands are so sweet!

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: He believed in me.”—Jim ValvanoRD.com

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: He believed in me.” —Jim Valvano. These hope quotes are sure to lift you up each and every day.

“It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever possibly imagine.”—Prince Harry RD.com

“It’s been the most amazing experience I could ever possibly imagine.” —Prince Harry

"I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren't trying to teach us. We are formed by the little scraps of wisdom."—Umberto EcoRD.com

“I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us. We are formed by the little scraps of wisdom.” —Umberto Eco. Don’t forget to bookmark these kindness quotes that are sure to stay with you.

“One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.”—George Herbert RD.com

“One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.” —George Herbert. Show dad just how much you care by making one of these DIY Father’s Day gifts.

“I’ve never been part of anything so great as those three kids.”—Al RokerRD.com

“I’ve never been part of anything so great as those three kids.” —Al Roker. These quotes about time will make you grateful for every second with your family.

"A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way."—UnknownRD.com

“A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.” —Unknown. Your dad will be truly touched when he reads these courage quotes.

“I'm a father; that's what matters most. Nothing matters more.”—Gordon BrownRD.com

“I’m a father; that’s what matters most. Nothing matters more.” —Gordon Brown. A powerful life quote that dads everywhere can relate to.

“My sisters and I can still recite Dad’s grilling rules: Rule No. 1: Dad is in charge. Rule No. 2: Repeat Rule No. 1.”—Connie SchultzRD.com

“My sisters and I can still recite Dad’s grilling rules: Rule No. 1: Dad is in charge. Rule No. 2: Repeat Rule No. 1.” —Connie Schultz. Read these funny parent tweets—they’re way too relatable.

“When my father didn't have my hand, he had my back.”—Linda PoindexterRD.com

“When my father didn’t have my hand, he had my back.” —Linda Poindexter. This can also double as an inspiring kid quote to share.

“My dad, like any coach, has always stressed the fundamentals. He taught me responsibility, accountability, and the importance of hard work.”—Steve YoungRD.com

“My dad, like any coach, has always stressed the fundamentals. He taught me responsibility, accountability, and the importance of hard work.” —Steve Young. Read these leadership quotes to fuel your future success.

“Being a parent is the single most challenging thing I’ve ever done/continue to do, but it’s also far and away the greatest joy in my life. It has given me purpose, taught me patience, and expanded my heart.”—Neil Patrick Harris RD.com

“Being a parent is the single most challenging thing I’ve ever done/continue to do, but it’s also far and away the greatest joy in my life. It has given me purpose, taught me patience, and expanded my heart.” —Neil Patrick Harris

"Some people don't believe in heroes, but they haven't met my dad."—UnknownRD.com

“Some people don’t believe in heroes, but they haven’t met my dad.” —Unknown

“I have a Father's Day every day.”—Dennis BanksRD.com

“I have a Father’s Day every day.” —Dennis Banks

"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it." –Clarence Budington KellandRD.com

“My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived and let me watch him do it.” —Clarence Budington Kelland

"It is a wise father that knows his own child." –William ShakespeareRD.com

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

"Father's Day is hopefully a time when the culture says, 'This is our moment to look at who our men and boys are.'" –Michael GurianRD.com

“Father’s Day is hopefully a time when the culture says, ‘This is our moment to look at who our men and boys are.'” —Michael Gurian

"Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father." –Lydia Maria Child RD.com

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

"It doesn't matter who my father was. It matters who I remember he was." –Anne SextonRD.com

“It doesn’t matter who my father was. It matters who I remember he was.” —Anne Sexton

"Life doesn’t come with an instruction book—that’s why we have fathers." –H. Jackson Brown, Jr.RD.com

“Life doesn’t come with an instruction book—that’s why we have fathers.” —H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

"Having a kid is like falling in love for the first time when you’re 12, but every day." –Mike MyersRD.com

“Having a kid is like falling in love for the first time when you’re 12, but every day.” —Mike Myers

"It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons." –Friedrich SchillerRD.com

“It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons.” —Friedrich Schiller

Now that you’ve read these “Happy Father’s Day” quotes, bookmark these gratitude quotes that remind us to be thankful for what we have.

Written with contribution from Kelly Kuehn

Emma Taubenfeld
Emma Taubenfeld is a former assistant editor for Reader’s Digest who writes about digital lifestyle topics such as memes, social media captions, pickup lines and cute pets. When she’s not working, you can find Emma reading corny young adult novels, creating carefully curated playlists and figuring out how to spice up boxed mac and cheese.