"Without a doubt, a man heavily influenced by his father's praise would spend the next thirty years of his life trying to earn it."

~ Peter Ackroyd, British author, referring to Charles Dickens.

While standing in front of a grand mansion, John Dickens commented to his son Charles, "If you were to be persevering and were to work hard, you might someday come to live in it."  Thirty-six years later, Charles Dickens bought the house.

Father Knew Best, Wit and Wisdom from the Dads of Celebrities, Plume/Penguin. 1997