Who said “Fathers should be neither seen nor heard. That is the only proper basis for family life.”?

Verified

Oscar Wilde. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceAn Ideal Husband (1895), Lord Goring, Act IV

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“Fathers should be neither seen nor heard. That is the only proper basis for family life.”
— Oscar Wilde
VerifiedAn Ideal Husband (1895), Lord Goring, Act IV · evidenceFathers

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: An Ideal Husband (1895), Lord Goring, Act IV.

APA

Wilde, O. (n.d.). Fathers should be neither seen nor heard. That is the only proper basis for family life. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/17699-fathers-should-be-neither-seen-nor-heard-that/

MLA

Wilde, Oscar. “Fathers should be neither seen nor heard. That is the only proper basis for family life.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/17699-fathers-should-be-neither-seen-nor-heard-that/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Wilde, Oscar. “Fathers should be neither seen nor heard. That is the only proper basis for family life.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/17699-fathers-should-be-neither-seen-nor-heard-that/.

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