Arts & Culture

More Advice from Southern Fathers

It's true what they say: Father really does know best
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“Saddle up, girl.”
Clarence Glover McDonell, Williston, Florida

“No matter what, do what makes you happy. I just want you to be happy.”
Bobby Lee Leatherwood, Memphis, Tennessee

“If you plant enough to share, you’ll always have enough.”
Kenneth Norton, Heflin, Alabama

“A man’s word is his bond.”
Bill Roberts, Pine Bluff, Arkansas

“Love the outdoors because the attitude of self-reliance serves you well in the wilderness.”
E. Craig Evans, Iva, South Carolina

“Always take your own car, keep at least one one hundred dollar bill tucked away in your purse for emergencies, and never drink martinis away from home!”
John O. Booker, Lufkin, Texas

“Boys are like buses—if you miss one, another one will be around in about 15 minutes.”
William “Woody” Boone, Winder, Georgia

“There’s a place for everything and everything in its place.”
Mark Ellis, Little Rock, Arkansas

“Nothing good happens after midnight.”
Len Lescosky, Daytona Beach, Florida

“When dealing with criticism, always consider the source.”
John Powers, Savannah, Georgia

“Work hard and love everybody; you’ll be alright.”
Bruce Weeks, Woodstock, Georgia

“You can’t control what happens, but you can control how you deal with it.”
Terry Kahn, Greensboro, North Carolina

“If you always tell the truth, you don’t have to remember what you said.”
Randy Cooper, Vidalia, Louisiana

“Never make an enemy if you don’t have to, but if you have to, make sure they can never get you back.”
Gene Lamb, Casey, Illinois

“Go whole hog.”
David Ellis, Shelby, North Carolina

“Words are like toothbrushes—once you’ve used them, you can’t take them back.”
Bradley T. Hayes, Esq., New Orleans, Louisiana

“Always remember to keep your head, especially when all others around you are losing theirs.”
Roger Cash, West Blocton, Alabama

He instilled in me the love of food and how to cook it up the proper way. He taught me how to fish, boil peanuts, pick the freshest sweet corn and the importance of being involved in public service. But in the end, the only thing that ever mattered was Florida Gator football.
Floyd Woods, Lakeland, Florida

“Always take drinking water when you go hunting and fishing.”
William Lesley Gibson, Ben Wheeler, Texas

“Travel often. Don’t wait. Life is too short.”
Harold Moorefield, Mount Airy, North Carolina

“When you have your health, you have everything!”
Thomas Meredith Bolton, Sr., Rich Square, North Carolina

“Always be articulate, tenacious, and reliable. Otherwise, your kindness, your vision, will remain unheard.”
George Lilly, Thomasville, Georgia

“Things That May Get You: 1. Alcohol or Illegal Drugs. 2. Being out after 1:00 a.m. 3. Driving more than 20 MPH over the speed limit. 4. Guns. 5. Women you don’t know well enough (or women you know too well).”
Larry Peck, Hartselle, Alabama

“Hope is not a strategy.”
Brad Miller, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

“Never be angry with the ones you love.”
Gerald, Gussack, Atlanta, Georgia

“If you ever see a turtle on a fence post, don’t ever think he got up there by himself. Everybody has help getting where they are.”
Keith Wiseman, Shannon, Mississippi

“Those guys hitting home runs, first they gotta step up to bat. A lot.”
Russell Edwards, New Orleans, Louisiana

“Be proud of yourself.”
Ernest Guy Talley, Hot Springs, Arkansas

“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
Charles Mayfield, Brownfield, Texas

“If you ever lose yourself and need time to think and find yourself, I will give you 5 minutes before my boot helps you out!”
Sonny Woodring, Bethany, Oklahoma

“No smoking, no tattoos, ALWAYS make good decisions, and NEVER forget to always love your dad cause he loves you.”
Kendall Garraway, Jackson, Mississippi

“Hang around rich men and marry for love.”
Bob Morris, Tucker, Georgia

“You can do anything you set your mind to do.”
Ed Preston, Tifton, Georgia

“Work hard.”
Bull Tulloh, Halifax County, Virginia

“Life is always good.”
Robert “Butch” Dark, Oxford, Alabama

“Be sweet to everyone you meet. You don’t know what battle they’re fighting today.”
Harry P. Johnson, Fairhope, Alabama