--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's better to build boys than mend men." description: "\"It's better to build boys than mend men.\" — S. Truett Cathy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/s-truett-cathy-10018_boys_it-s-better-to-build-boys-than-mend-men_2780916.jpg" --- # It's better to build boys than mend men. ![“It's better to build boys than mend men.” quote by S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/s-truett-cathy-10018_boys_it-s-better-to-build-boys-than-mend-men_2780916.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/s-truett-cathy-10018_boys_it-s-better-to-build-boys-than-mend-men_2780916.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/s-truett-cathy-10018_boys_it-s-better-to-build-boys-than-mend-men_2780916.jpg) > “It's better to build boys than mend men.” [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It suggests building character in youth is easier than fixing flawed adults. **In simple terms:** Shaping boys is simpler than correcting men. Key Takeaway Invest early in character development. Themes education character development generational leadership Mood optimistic concerned Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - parenting - school curricula - community programs Key Concepts mentorship growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - How can we better support youth development? - What challenges arise when trying to change adult behavior? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better Build](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-build-1200654/) [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Boys Mend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys-mend-2325188/) [Build Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/build-boys-3309718/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mend Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mend-men-3309719/) ## Related quotes > [When we qualify for the help of the Lord, we can build boys, we can mend men, we can accomplish miracles in His holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/when-we-qualify-for-the-help-of-the-lord-we-can-build-boys-we-can/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [If you are going to build something in the air it is always better to build castles than houses of cards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/if-you-are-going-to-build-something-in-the-air-it-is-always-better-to/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [“It is better to build than to break.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/it-is-better-to-build-than-to-break/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [It's better to build than to buy if you can find the right people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/it-s-better-to-build-than-to-buy-if-you-can-find-the-right-people/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [You can run a business any way you like, but you'll run it better if you build it around your strengths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duncan-bannatyne/you-can-run-a-business-any-way-you-like-but-you-ll-run-it-better-if/) [Duncan Bannatyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duncan-bannatyne/) > [It's better to take over and build upon an existing business than to start a new one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-better-to-take-over-and-build-upon-an-existing-business-than-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Better to build a bridge than a wall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elton-john/better-to-build-a-bridge-than-a-wall/) [Elton John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elton-john/) > [Don't settle for what life gives you; make life better and build something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-kutcher/don-t-settle-for-what-life-gives-you-make-life-better-and-build/) [Ashton Kutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-kutcher/) > [Guys standing around and talking about Spanish fly: 'You know anything about Spanish fly?' 'No, tell me about it.' Well there's this girl Crazy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/guys-standing-around-and-talking-about-spanish-fly-you-know-anything/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [“Before he could say anything, "I told him; I have had my share of boys".He drew me closer and said "let me your man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pushpa-rana/before-he-could-say-anything-i-told-him-i-have-had-my-share-of-boys/) [Pushpa Rana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pushpa-rana/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [Some article called me the most feared man in Silicon Valley. Good Lord! Why? My teenage boys got a kick out of it: 'Dad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/some-article-called-me-the-most-feared-man-in-silicon-valley-good/) [Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/) > [Lets face it this world is ruled by girls that why we must away pleases our girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrawesome/lets-face-it-this-world-is-ruled-by-girls-that-why-we-must-away/) [MrAwesome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mrawesome/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) ## More by S. Truett Cathy > [If we get better our customers will demand we get bigger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/if-we-get-better-our-customers-will-demand-we-get-bigger/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [You have to be very careful about what you say. More importantly, you have to be very careful about what you do. You never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/you-have-to-be-very-careful-about-what-you-say-more-importantly-you/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [You don't have to be a Christian to work at Chick-fil-A, but we ask you to base your business on biblical principles because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/you-don-t-have-to-be-a-christian-to-work-at-chick-fil-a-but-we-ask/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [I lost two brothers in an airplane crash, both of them leaving a wife and kids. When I get to Heaven, that's probably the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/i-lost-two-brothers-in-an-airplane-crash-both-of-them-leaving-a-wife/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [Opportunity presents itself sometimes in unusual situations. What you think is the worst thing turns out to be a good thing. Different circumstances challenge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/opportunity-presents-itself-sometimes-in-unusual-situations-what-you/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [How do you identify someone who needs encouragement? That person is breathing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/how-do-you-identify-someone-who-needs-encouragement-that-person-is/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [I had a low image of myself because I was brought up in the deep Depression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/i-had-a-low-image-of-myself-because-i-was-brought-up-in-the-deep/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [The difference between success and failure is often about 5% more effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/the-difference-between-success-and-failure-is-often-about-5-more/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [Why did the chicken cross the road? To prove to the possum that it could be done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/why-did-the-chicken-cross-the-road-to-prove-to-the-possum-that-it/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [I have people say, 'I'll come to work for you for free,' and I tell my employees they have to compete with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/i-have-people-say-i-ll-come-to-work-for-you-for-free-and-i-tell-my/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [If you wish to enrich days, plant flowers; If you wish to enrich years, plant trees; If you wish to enrich Eternity, plant ideals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/if-you-wish-to-enrich-days-plant-flowers-if-you-wish-to-enrich-years/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [I was not so committed to financial success that I was willing to abandon my principles and priorities. One of the most visible examples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/i-was-not-so-committed-to-financial-success-that-i-was-willing-to/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [If it takes seven days to make a living, you ought to be doing something else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/if-it-takes-seven-days-to-make-a-living-you-ought-to-be-doing/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [Success in any relationship or endeavor begins with trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/success-in-any-relationship-or-endeavor-begins-with-trust/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) > [Every child I know who overcame long odds and grew into a responsible adult can point to an adult who stepped into his or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-truett-cathy/every-child-i-know-who-overcame-long-odds-and-grew-into-a-responsible/) [S. Truett Cathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) [Explore all 68 S. Truett Cathy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-truett-cathy/) ## More Boys quotes > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [Lets face it this world is ruled by girls that why we must away pleases our girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrawesome/lets-face-it-this-world-is-ruled-by-girls-that-why-we-must-away/) [MrAwesome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mrawesome/) > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) > [When it comes to bullying small businesses, Donald Trump is the poster boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/when-it-comes-to-bullying-small-businesses-donald-trump-is-the-poster/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [When other boys dreamt of going to the moon or becoming doctors, I wanted to be a designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-theyskens/when-other-boys-dreamt-of-going-to-the-moon-or-becoming-doctors-i/) [Olivier Theyskens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-theyskens/) > [In the middle of a play, I go crazy and don't realize what I'm doing. I'll snap back to reality and I realize, 'Hey,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-bosworth/in-the-middle-of-a-play-i-go-crazy-and-don-t-realize-what-i-m-doing-i/) [Brian Bosworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-bosworth/) > [If Pete’s (Sampras) child is a girl, my son will like her; if he’s a boy, my son will defeat him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-agassi/if-pete-s-sampras-child-is-a-girl-my-son-will-like-her-if-he-s-a-boy/) [Andre Agassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-agassi/) > [The tie's a multi purpose accessory, y'know, belt, school boy, Rambo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-fielding/the-tie-s-a-multi-purpose-accessory-y-know-belt-school-boy-rambo/) [Noel Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-fielding/) > [The reason I went to an all-boys Catholic school was because they had the best football team. We won the state championship my junior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-rossi/the-reason-i-went-to-an-all-boys-catholic-school-was-because-they-had/) [Theo Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-rossi/) > [Some article called me the most feared man in Silicon Valley. Good Lord! Why? My teenage boys got a kick out of it: 'Dad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/some-article-called-me-the-most-feared-man-in-silicon-valley-good/) [Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/) > [She had been dragged in the most humiliating of all dusts, the dust reserved for older women who let themselves be approached, on amorous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-von-arnim/she-had-been-dragged-in-the-most-humiliating-of-all-dusts-the-dust/) [Elizabeth von Arnim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-von-arnim/) > [As you'll never hear the thing again, my boy, why not throw in a couple of brass bands?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-beecham/as-you-ll-never-hear-the-thing-again-my-boy-why-not-throw-in-a-couple/) [Thomas Beecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-beecham/) > [So I was ugly. I was never fat, really, and I never wore headgear or had zits or anything. But I was ugly. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/so-i-was-ugly-i-was-never-fat-really-and-i-never-wore-headgear-or-had/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) [Browse all 7,168 Boys quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's better to build boys than mend men.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "S. 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