--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Parents can tell but never teach, unless…" description: "\"“Parents can tell but never teach, unless they practice what they preach.”\" — Arnold H. Glasow" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5d/arnold-h-glasow-34664_education_parents-can-tell-but-never-teach-unless_2041690.jpg" --- # Parents can tell but never teach, unless they practice… ![“Parents can tell but never teach, unless they practice what they preach.” quote by Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5d/arnold-h-glasow-34664_education_parents-can-tell-but-never-teach-unless_2041690.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5d/arnold-h-glasow-34664_education_parents-can-tell-but-never-teach-unless_2041690.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5d/arnold-h-glasow-34664_education_parents-can-tell-but-never-teach-unless_2041690.jpg) > ““Parents can tell but never teach, unless they practice what they preach.”” [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People can give advice but true teaching requires living the lesson oneself. **In simple terms:** Advice alone isn’t enough; you must model behavior. Key Takeaway Model what you teach. Themes parenting learning integrity Mood reflective serious Type advice ethical When to use this quote - family discussions - coaching sessions - mentor meetings Key Concepts role modeling behavioral consistency Questions to Reflect On - How can parents align actions with advice? - What habits demonstrate authentic teaching? A Different Perspective If parents lack credibility, their words lose impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents/) [Parents Tell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents-tell/) [Practice Preach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice-preach/) [Teach Unless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teach-unless-3803433/) [Tell Teach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tell-teach-314231/) ## Related quotes > [If teachers are not allowed to teach unless they do what they preach, no one will ever teach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachid-moussaid/if-teachers-are-not-allowed-to-teach-unless-they-do-what-they-preach/) [Rachid Moussaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachid-moussaid/) > [You can't tell anyone anything. You have to teach people for them to remember. Let the person experience what you are teaching and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/you-can-t-tell-anyone-anything-you-have-to-teach-people-for-them-to/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Before you tell me what you teach and preach, show me how you live and give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-booker/before-you-tell-me-what-you-teach-and-preach-show-me-how-you-live-and/) [Cory Booker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-booker/) > [I do practice what I preach when it comes to nutrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-oz/i-do-practice-what-i-preach-when-it-comes-to-nutrition/) [Mehmet Oz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-oz/) > [Practice what you preach. Then, once you are done practicing, do it for real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/practice-what-you-preach-then-once-you-are-done-practicing-do-it-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Practice what you preach. It's as simple as that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-merrow/practice-what-you-preach-it-s-as-simple-as-that/) [James Merrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-merrow/) > [I do not believe we accomplish very much in life unless we are enthusiastic, unless we are in earnest, and unless we practice what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heber-j-grant/i-do-not-believe-we-accomplish-very-much-in-life-unless-we-are/) [Heber J. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heber-j-grant/) > [I may not practice what I preach but God forbid I should preach what I practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/i-may-not-practice-what-i-preach-but-god-forbid-i-should-preach-what/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Practice what you preach, being fake and claiming realness will eventually backfire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/practice-what-you-preach-being-fake-and-claiming-realness-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let's practice what we preach, and with the acceptance that we expect from others, let's stop being so damn judgmental and crucifying everyone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-anderson/let-s-practice-what-we-preach-and-with-the-acceptance-that-we-expect/) [Gillian Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-anderson/) > [“I don't practice what I preach because I'm not the kind of person I'm preaching to.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-dobbs/i-don-t-practice-what-i-preach-because-i-m-not-the-kind-of-person-i-m/) [J.R. Dobbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-dobbs/) > [I always try to practice what I preach. I meditate for fifteen minutes every day and do yoga several times a week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arianna-huffington/i-always-try-to-practice-what-i-preach-i-meditate-for-fifteen-minutes/) [Arianna Huffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arianna-huffington/) > [Live Your Message: Practice what you preach. That's where credibility comes from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell-2/live-your-message-practice-what-you-preach-that-s-where-credibility/) [John C Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell-2/) > [Practice what you preach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-soler/practice-what-you-preach/) [Charles Soler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-soler/) > [Cant have your cake and eat it too. Reap what you sow, practice what you preach. Good karma, bad karma. life is not fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/cant-have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too-reap-what-you-sow-practice-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Arnold H. Glasow > [The fewer the facts, the stronger the opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/the-fewer-the-facts-the-stronger-the-opinion/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [All some folks want is their fair share and yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/all-some-folks-want-is-their-fair-share-and-yours/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [“We all know a fool when we see one - but not when we are one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/we-all-know-a-fool-when-we-see-one-but-not-when-we-are-one/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/success-isn-t-a-result-of-spontaneous-combustion-you-must-set/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [What the country needs are a few labor-making inventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/what-the-country-needs-are-a-few-labor-making-inventions/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [Fear is the lengthened shadow of ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/fear-is-the-lengthened-shadow-of-ignorance/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/one-of-the-tests-of-leadership-is-the-ability-to-recognize-a-problem/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [Live so that your friends can defend you but never have to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/live-so-that-your-friends-can-defend-you-but-never-have-to/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [Expecting something for nothing is the most popular form of hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/expecting-something-for-nothing-is-the-most-popular-form-of-hope/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [Improvement begins with I.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/improvement-begins-with-i/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/success-is-simple-do-what-s-right-the-right-way-at-the-right-time/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [“Live so your Friends can defend you, But never have to.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/live-so-your-friends-can-defend-you-but-never-have-to/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) > [Telling a teenager the facts of life is like giving a fish a bath.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-h-glasow/telling-a-teenager-the-facts-of-life-is-like-giving-a-fish-a-bath/) [Arnold H. Glasow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) [Explore all 14 Arnold H. Glasow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-h-glasow/) ## More Education quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [“In school you are taught to obey and not to think straight for your own good. Otherwise the world would be full of millionaires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/in-school-you-are-taught-to-obey-and-not-to-think-straight-for-your/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/there-s-no-authoritarian-structure-at-reed-college-but-the-education/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [“What's the best thing about being in college? Good teachers. They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“If one has not a head of steel it will burst; if he has not within it a brain of liquid quicksilver, he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ioannes-amos-commenius/if-one-has-not-a-head-of-steel-it-will-burst-if-he-has-not-within-it/) [Ioannes Amos Commenius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ioannes-amos-commenius/) > [“let us not teach / what we have learned badly / and not profited by”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-hilda-doolittle/let-us-not-teach-what-we-have-learned-badly-and-not-profited-by/) [H.D. (Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-d-hilda-doolittle/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [According to Plato, we don't learn anything. Our soul has lived so many lives that we know everything. Teachers and education can only remind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/according-to-plato-we-don-t-learn-anything-our-soul-has-lived-so-many/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. If something interested me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-began-to-enjoy-studying-after-i-got-through-the-educational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you had made the acquiring of ignorance the study of your life, you could not have graduated with higher honor than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-had-made-the-acquiring-of-ignorance-the-study-of-your-life-you/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [English teachers tend to put more thought in the books than the author did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/english-teachers-tend-to-put-more-thought-in-the-books-than-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When will society, like a mother, take care of all her children?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/when-will-society-like-a-mother-take-care-of-all-her-children/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) [Browse all 37,666 Education quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Parents can tell but never teach, unless they practice what they preach.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Arnold H. 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