--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have five children whom I love dearly…" description: "\"We have five children whom I love dearly and have exploited mercilessly for my cartoons.\" — Bil Keane" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/bil-keane-20367_cartoons_we-have-five-children-whom-i-love-dearly_1217269.png" --- # We have five children whom I love dearly and have… ![“We have five children whom I love dearly and have exploited mercilessly for my cartoons.” quote by Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/bil-keane-20367_cartoons_we-have-five-children-whom-i-love-dearly_1217269.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/bil-keane-20367_cartoons_we-have-five-children-whom-i-love-dearly_1217269.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/bil-keane-20367_cartoons_we-have-five-children-whom-i-love-dearly_1217269.png) > “We have five children whom I love dearly and have exploited mercilessly for my cartoons.” [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A parent loves their children yet uses them for personal creative work, highlighting a mix of affection and exploitation. **In simple terms:** Love and use of kids for cartoons Key Takeaway Balance affection with respect for children's autonomy Themes family creativity parenting Mood reflective concerned Type advice ethical When to use this quote - Cartoon creation - family dynamics - child labor discussions Key Concepts Ethics of artistic inspiration boundary setting Questions to Reflect On - How do you honor children's individuality while collaborating? - What boundaries are needed in creative families? A Different Perspective Exploitation can harm trust and development ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cartoons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cartoons/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Children love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children-love/) [Dearly Exploited](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dearly-exploited-3713799/) [Exploited Mercilessly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exploited-mercilessly-3713800/) [Five](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/five/) [I love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-love/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Mercilessly Cartoons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercilessly-cartoons-3713798/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) ## Related quotes > [I didn't always spell my name Bil. My parents named me Bill, but when I started drawing cartoons on the wall, they knocked the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/i-didn-t-always-spell-my-name-bil-my-parents-named-me-bill-but-when-i/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [I did cartoons for four high school publications and then and there decided I wanted to spend my life at the drawing board.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/i-did-cartoons-for-four-high-school-publications-and-then-and-there/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [In Roslyn, Pennsylvania, we started our real-life family circus. They provided the inspiration for my cartoons. I provided the perspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/in-roslyn-pennsylvania-we-started-our-real-life-family-circus-they/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [Many of my cartoons are not a belly laugh. I go for nostalgia, the lump in the throat, the tear in the eye, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/many-of-my-cartoons-are-not-a-belly-laugh-i-go-for-nostalgia-the-lump/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [My children love everything that sparkles. My boys just go with everything and make it their own, but my daughter is a little upset…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-klum/my-children-love-everything-that-sparkles-my-boys-just-go-with/) [Heidi Klum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-klum/) > [There are as many great superhero movies as there are comedies and dramas and cartoons. People just want to see good movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/there-are-as-many-great-superhero-movies-as-there-are-comedies-and/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [Everyone wants a Ron stoppable in their life but let's be honest most of us are like Kim possible and not because we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-wants-a-ron-stoppable-in-their-life-but-let-s-be-honest-most/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think that - whether I should admit this or not - Joe and I, going back to 'Tom and Jerry,' have been very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hanna/i-think-that-whether-i-should-admit-this-or-not-joe-and-i-going-back/) [William Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hanna/) > [I watch cartoons a lot. I'm a big 'Rick and Morty' and 'South Park' fan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-garratt/i-watch-cartoons-a-lot-i-m-a-big-rick-and-morty-and-south-park-fan/) [Jack Garratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-garratt/) > [I will pick a raft of cartoons. And then later, it'll come time to run this cartoon. And I'll look at it, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mankoff/i-will-pick-a-raft-of-cartoons-and-then-later-it-ll-come-time-to-run/) [Robert Mankoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mankoff/) > [I've never really thought about competing with cartoons. If it ever gets to that point, then just shoot me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-liu/i-ve-never-really-thought-about-competing-with-cartoons-if-it-ever/) [Lucy Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-liu/) > [I just watched cartoons for three years, and that had a strong affect on me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/i-just-watched-cartoons-for-three-years-and-that-had-a-strong-affect/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [A lot of people get emotional in movies that are cartoons, but not in TV shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/a-lot-of-people-get-emotional-in-movies-that-are-cartoons-but-not-in/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [I was always into cartoons and animation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-was-always-into-cartoons-and-animation/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [My intended audience was everybody. I just want to make cartoons for human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kricfalusi/my-intended-audience-was-everybody-i-just-want-to-make-cartoons-for/) [John Kricfalusi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kricfalusi/) ## More by Bil Keane > [In Roslyn, Pennsylvania, we started our real-life family circus. They provided the inspiration for my cartoons. I provided the perspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/in-roslyn-pennsylvania-we-started-our-real-life-family-circus-they/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [Many of my cartoons are not a belly laugh. I go for nostalgia, the lump in the throat, the tear in the eye, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/many-of-my-cartoons-are-not-a-belly-laugh-i-go-for-nostalgia-the-lump/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [I had this desk alongside the most beautiful Australian 18-year-old girl with long brown hair, and I got up enough nerve to ask her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/i-had-this-desk-alongside-the-most-beautiful-australian-18-year-old/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [I was portraying the family through my eyes. Everything that's happened in the strip has happened to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/i-was-portraying-the-family-through-my-eyes-everything-that-s/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [A peaceful home is as sacred a place as any chapel or cathedral.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/a-peaceful-home-is-as-sacred-a-place-as-any-chapel-or-cathedral/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [Mommy would never divorce Daddy. He's just like one of the family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/mommy-would-never-divorce-daddy-he-s-just-like-one-of-the-family/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [I like to feel that what I'm doing portrays this: a family where there is love between mother, father and the kids. It's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/i-like-to-feel-that-what-i-m-doing-portrays-this-a-family-where-there/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [I did cartoons for four high school publications and then and there decided I wanted to spend my life at the drawing board.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/i-did-cartoons-for-four-high-school-publications-and-then-and-there/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [Even the strictest religious person from the strictest religious sect allows a little levity. Today, they congratulate you for carrying the Christian message into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/even-the-strictest-religious-person-from-the-strictest-religious-sect/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [On radio and television, magazines and the movies, you can't tell what you're going to get. When you look at the comic page, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/on-radio-and-television-magazines-and-the-movies-you-can-t-tell-what/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [OF COURSE I'd like to be the ideal mother. But I'm too busy raising children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/of-course-i-d-like-to-be-the-ideal-mother-but-i-m-too-busy-raising/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [I don't just try to be funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/i-don-t-just-try-to-be-funny/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [Religion was a part of our home life when I was growing up. I attended Catholic school. It was a good education - for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/religion-was-a-part-of-our-home-life-when-i-was-growing-up-i-attended/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [Many of the network television shows have done takeoffs on 'Family Circus,' including 'David Letterman,' 'Friends,' 'Roseanne,' and others, and, in my estimation the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/many-of-the-network-television-shows-have-done-takeoffs-on-family/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [Jesus must have had a sense of humor. I like to think of Him as a guy who got people to listen to Him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/jesus-must-have-had-a-sense-of-humor-i-like-to-think-of-him-as-a-guy/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) [Explore all 30 Bil Keane quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) ## More Cartoons quotes > [My intended audience was everybody. I just want to make cartoons for human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kricfalusi/my-intended-audience-was-everybody-i-just-want-to-make-cartoons-for/) [John Kricfalusi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kricfalusi/) > [I was always into cartoons and animation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/i-was-always-into-cartoons-and-animation/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [In Roslyn, Pennsylvania, we started our real-life family circus. They provided the inspiration for my cartoons. I provided the perspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/in-roslyn-pennsylvania-we-started-our-real-life-family-circus-they/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [A lot of people get emotional in movies that are cartoons, but not in TV shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/a-lot-of-people-get-emotional-in-movies-that-are-cartoons-but-not-in/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > [I just watched cartoons for three years, and that had a strong affect on me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/i-just-watched-cartoons-for-three-years-and-that-had-a-strong-affect/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [I've never really thought about competing with cartoons. If it ever gets to that point, then just shoot me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-liu/i-ve-never-really-thought-about-competing-with-cartoons-if-it-ever/) [Lucy Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-liu/) > [I will pick a raft of cartoons. And then later, it'll come time to run this cartoon. And I'll look at it, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mankoff/i-will-pick-a-raft-of-cartoons-and-then-later-it-ll-come-time-to-run/) [Robert Mankoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mankoff/) > [I watch cartoons a lot. I'm a big 'Rick and Morty' and 'South Park' fan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-garratt/i-watch-cartoons-a-lot-i-m-a-big-rick-and-morty-and-south-park-fan/) [Jack Garratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-garratt/) > [I think that - whether I should admit this or not - Joe and I, going back to 'Tom and Jerry,' have been very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hanna/i-think-that-whether-i-should-admit-this-or-not-joe-and-i-going-back/) [William Hanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hanna/) > [Everyone wants a Ron stoppable in their life but let's be honest most of us are like Kim possible and not because we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-wants-a-ron-stoppable-in-their-life-but-let-s-be-honest-most/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are as many great superhero movies as there are comedies and dramas and cartoons. People just want to see good movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-trank/there-are-as-many-great-superhero-movies-as-there-are-comedies-and/) [Josh Trank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-trank/) > [I like the idea of taking three-dimensional objects and making them two-dimensional so that they look like cartoons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelia-parker/i-like-the-idea-of-taking-three-dimensional-objects-and-making-them/) [Cornelia Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelia-parker/) > [Many of my cartoons are not a belly laugh. I go for nostalgia, the lump in the throat, the tear in the eye, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/many-of-my-cartoons-are-not-a-belly-laugh-i-go-for-nostalgia-the-lump/) [Bil Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/) > [I didn't have cable, so YouTube was my cartoons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-chamberlain/i-didn-t-have-cable-so-youtube-was-my-cartoons/) [Emma Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-chamberlain/) > [The biggest idea of a good time for me is making the Batman videos that we did. That is my ideal day. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-holmes/the-biggest-idea-of-a-good-time-for-me-is-making-the-batman-videos/) [Pete Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-holmes/) [Browse all 270 Cartoons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cartoons/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We have five children whom I love dearly and have exploited mercilessly for my cartoons.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bil Keane" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/we-have-five-children-whom-i-love-dearly-and-have-exploited/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cartoons" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/we-have-five-children-whom-i-love-dearly-and-have-exploited/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/bil-keane-20367_cartoons_we-have-five-children-whom-i-love-dearly_1217269.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/bil-keane-20367_cartoons_we-have-five-children-whom-i-love-dearly_1217269.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/bil-keane-20367_cartoons_we-have-five-children-whom-i-love-dearly_1217269.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We have five children whom I love dearly and have exploited mercilessly for my cartoons.” — Bil Keane", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bil Keane", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bil-keane/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We have five children whom I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/we-have-five-children-whom-i-love-dearly-and-have-exploited/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bil-keane/we-have-five-children-whom-i-love-dearly-and-have-exploited/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```