Father's Day: Heart-touching quotes from books

Not all heroes wear capes, some work for and support their families silently just like fathers. From Mr. Bennet in 'Pride and Prejudice' to Mr. Rochester in 'Jane Eyre', fathers are mostly shown as men of few words in classic literature. However, that doesn't change their love for their children. While they seldom showcase their affection openly, they are always there to help and support their children in difficult times. On the occasion of Father's Day, here are some heart-touching author quotes about fathers and fatherhood to celebrate them on this special day.

All fathers are invisible in daytime; daytime is ruled by mothers and fathers come out at night. Darkness brings home fathers, with their real, unspeakable power. There is more to fathers than meets the eye.

— Margaret Atwood, Cat’s Eye

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 little scraps of wisdom.
— Umberto Eco, Foucault’s Pendulum

Perhaps that is what it means to be a father – to teach your child to live without you.

— Nicole Krauss, The History of Love

At sixteen, you still think you can escape from your father. You aren’t listening to his voice speaking through your mouth, you don’t see how your gestures already mirror his; you don’t see him in the way you hold your body, in the way you sign your name. You don’t hear his whisper in your blood.

— Salman Rushdie, East, West: Stories

A father is the one friend upon whom we can always rely. In the hour of need, when all else fails, we remember him upon whose knees we sat when children, and who soothed our sorrows; and even though he may be unable to assist us, his mere presence serves to comfort and strengthen us.

— Émile Gaboriau, File No. 113

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.

— Sigmund Freud

A father acts on behalf of his children by working, providing, intervening, struggling, and suffering for them. In doing so, he really stands in their place. He is not an isolated individual, but incorporates the selves of several people in his own self.

— Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Ethics