Who said “Children wish fathers looked but with their eyes; fathers that children with their…”?

Misattributed

Not William Shakespeare. It's commonly credited to them, but the evidence shows it isn't theirs.

What the research foundListed as misattributed to William Shakespeare; no source in their known works.

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“Children wish fathers looked but with their eyes; fathers that children with their judgment looked; and either may be wrong.”
— William Shakespeare
MisattributedListed as misattributed to William Shakespeare; no source in their known works. · evidenceChildren

Cite this quote

APA

“Children wish fathers looked but with their eyes; fathers that children with their judgment looked; and either may be wrong.” [Quotation attributed to William Shakespeare]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4730-children-wish-fathers-looked-but-with-their-eyes/

MLA

“Children wish fathers looked but with their eyes; fathers that children with their judgment looked; and either may be wrong.” Attributed to William Shakespeare. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4730-children-wish-fathers-looked-but-with-their-eyes/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“Children wish fathers looked but with their eyes; fathers that children with their judgment looked; and either may be wrong.” Attributed to William Shakespeare. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4730-children-wish-fathers-looked-but-with-their-eyes/.

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