--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I teach my sons that there are really…" description: "\"“I teach my sons that there are really only three rules to being a good man. The first rule is to fish often. And by fish, I mean find the quiet times ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43e/spuds-crawford-41538_fish_i-teach-my-sons-that-there-are-really-on_3104305.jpg" --- # I teach my sons that there are really only three rules to… ![“I teach my sons that there are really only three rules to being a good man. The first rule is to fish often. And by fish, I mean find the quiet times to fish around in your minds for what is most important. The second rule is to protect everyone smaller than them. This means physically smaller…” quote by Spuds Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43e/spuds-crawford-41538_fish_i-teach-my-sons-that-there-are-really-on_3104305.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43e/spuds-crawford-41538_fish_i-teach-my-sons-that-there-are-really-on_3104305.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43e/spuds-crawford-41538_fish_i-teach-my-sons-that-there-are-really-on_3104305.jpg) > ““I teach my sons that there are really only three rules to being a good man. The first rule is to fish often. And by fish, I mean find the quiet times to fish around in your minds for what is most important. The second rule is to protect everyone smaller than them. This means physically smaller, and in all other ways... protect the more vulnerable. The third rule states that if something is truly important to you, then you should prove it. You say you would lay your life down for someone, but will you give them the busiest five minutes of your day, if they need it?”” [Spuds Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spuds-crawford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He outlines three principles: introspection, protecting the vulnerable, and demonstrating commitment through time and effort. **In simple terms:** Think, protect, and prove love through actions. Key Takeaway Give time to those who matter. Themes self‑reflection protecting the vulnerable commitment Mood inspirational thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - parenting - mentership - friendship - community service Key Concepts mindfulness ethical leadership Questions to Reflect On - What quiet moments help you reflect? - How can you protect without overextending? A Different Perspective Time is limited; actions may not always be reciprocated. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Man Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-rule-697647/) [Manhood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manhood/) [Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rule/) [Rule Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rule-fish-5167248/) [Rules Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules-good-538994/) [Second Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-rule-759847/) ## Related quotes > [It's no sure rule to fish with a cros-bow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/it-s-no-sure-rule-to-fish-with-a-cros-bow/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [The first rule is not to lose. The second rule is not to forget the first rule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/the-first-rule-is-not-to-lose-the-second-rule-is-not-to-forget-the/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [No man can rule the unruly until he first rules himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-foreman-lewis/no-man-can-rule-the-unruly-until-he-first-rules-himself/) [Elizabeth Foreman Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-foreman-lewis/) > [Man who man would be, must rule the empire of himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/man-who-man-would-be-must-rule-the-empire-of-himself/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [Walk along one day and do nothing wrong, play by the rules, be a good person, do everything right: it doesn't guarantee anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-hart/walk-along-one-day-and-do-nothing-wrong-play-by-the-rules-be-a-good/) [Owen Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-hart/) > [Reminding oneself that not all rules are good rules and sometimes it's good to challenge them is an important part of being an effective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-lucas/reminding-oneself-that-not-all-rules-are-good-rules-and-sometimes-it/) [Caroline Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-lucas/) > [Wherein we discover that many of the "rules" for good writing and good sex are the same: Keep your hand moving, lose control, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/wherein-we-discover-that-many-of-the-rules-for-good-writing-and-good/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [“Your King rules over everything that would discourage and disappoint you, and he rules for your good and his glory. What is out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/your-king-rules-over-everything-that-would-discourage-and-disappoint/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [There are many rules of good writing, but the best way to find them is to be a good reader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-ambrose/there-are-many-rules-of-good-writing-but-the-best-way-to-find-them-is/) [Stephen Ambrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-ambrose/) > [Men arent stupid, and you dont need a complicated set of rules to find a good one who loves you. Heres the only rule…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/men-arent-stupid-and-you-dont-need-a-complicated-set-of-rules-to-find/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When people cannot write good literature it is perhaps natural that they should lay down rules how good literature should be written.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saintsbury/when-people-cannot-write-good-literature-it-is-perhaps-natural-that/) [George Saintsbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saintsbury/) > [I am not good at following rules, I am not good at following instructions, I am not good at driving slow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessi-combs/i-am-not-good-at-following-rules-i-am-not-good-at-following/) [Jessi Combs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessi-combs/) > [A good teacher must know the rules; a good pupil, the exceptions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-h-fischer/a-good-teacher-must-know-the-rules-a-good-pupil-the-exceptions/) [Martin H. Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-h-fischer/) > [We seem to believe it is possible to ward off death by following rules of good grooming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/we-seem-to-believe-it-is-possible-to-ward-off-death-by-following/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ansel-adams/there-are-no-rules-for-good-photographs-there-are-only-good/) [Ansel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ansel-adams/) ## More by Spuds Crawford > [“He asked me if I ever prayed-- and I lied. Then he asked me if I ever got an answer, or a sign that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spuds-crawford/he-asked-me-if-i-ever-prayed-and-i-lied-then-he-asked-me-if-i-ever/) [Spuds Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spuds-crawford/) > [“When you argue with someone, you always argue at the level of the person with the lowest level of intelligence. You never argue up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spuds-crawford/when-you-argue-with-someone-you-always-argue-at-the-level-of-the/) [Spuds Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spuds-crawford/) > [“Ignorance is not linear, it's exponential.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spuds-crawford/ignorance-is-not-linear-it-s-exponential/) [Spuds Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spuds-crawford/) > [“Science and discovery, especially in the field of non-abnormal pediatric mysteries, is built on the work of those who have been sneezed on before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spuds-crawford/science-and-discovery-especially-in-the-field-of-non-abnormal/) [Spuds Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spuds-crawford/) > [“As a young father it's important to remember that, when you're at the beach, there's a BIG difference between telling your five year old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spuds-crawford/as-a-young-father-it-s-important-to-remember-that-when-you-re-at-the/) [Spuds Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spuds-crawford/) > [“If you expect me to read your mind you're going to have to think more clearly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spuds-crawford/if-you-expect-me-to-read-your-mind-you-re-going-to-have-to-think-more/) [Spuds Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spuds-crawford/) > [“A dam doesn't try to reason with the water. Its main purpose is to hold it still for a while. When I lecture my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spuds-crawford/a-dam-doesn-t-try-to-reason-with-the-water-its-main-purpose-is-to/) [Spuds Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spuds-crawford/) > [“I must be very complex, judging by the number of days determined to define me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spuds-crawford/i-must-be-very-complex-judging-by-the-number-of-days-determined-to/) [Spuds Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spuds-crawford/) > [“I've never considered the possibility of defeat. I've never planned for it. That's the job for those people who plan for such things. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spuds-crawford/i-ve-never-considered-the-possibility-of-defeat-i-ve-never-planned/) [Spuds Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spuds-crawford/) [Explore all 10 Spuds Crawford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spuds-crawford/) ## More Fish quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [Batley and Spen has a high proportion of people working in manufacturing, and we can boast the full range of industries, including high-skilled, precision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-cox/batley-and-spen-has-a-high-proportion-of-people-working-in/) [Jo Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-cox/) > [Fly-fishing for wild trout on quiet waters must be one of the toughest and craziest ways to catch fish ever invented by man, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-voelker/fly-fishing-for-wild-trout-on-quiet-waters-must-be-one-of-the/) [John D. Voelker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-voelker/) > [My kids all do love to hunt and fish. When they get together, I think that's what they get together more for than anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/my-kids-all-do-love-to-hunt-and-fish-when-they-get-together-i-think/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) > [“If this were a fairy tale, this would be the part where the fishboy appears and Diana shoots him through the heart. Because he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-moskowitz/if-this-were-a-fairy-tale-this-would-be-the-part-where-the-fishboy/) [Hannah Moskowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-moskowitz/) > [I do not believe in eating fish hot. People always insist on hot fish, but that leaves it dried out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-zakarian/i-do-not-believe-in-eating-fish-hot-people-always-insist-on-hot-fish/) [Geoffrey Zakarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-zakarian/) > [Many years ago I was fishing, and as I was reeling in the poor fish, I realised, 'I am killing him - all for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/many-years-ago-i-was-fishing-and-as-i-was-reeling-in-the-poor-fish-i/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) > [I don't eat meat - chicken, fish, none of that. I eat a lot of vegetable sandwiches, like lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, cucumbers, whatever I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gza/i-don-t-eat-meat-chicken-fish-none-of-that-i-eat-a-lot-of-vegetable/) [Gza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gza/) > [“Fish are unable, of course, to speak for themselves about how we treat them. They have ways of communicating with each other and, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-morell/fish-are-unable-of-course-to-speak-for-themselves-about-how-we-treat/) [Virginia Morell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-morell/) > [Undoubtedly, church fish fries and picnics help build social cohesion. It was at my dad's medium-size evangelical church - my first real exposure to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance-2/undoubtedly-church-fish-fries-and-picnics-help-build-social-cohesion/) [J. D. Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-vance-2/) > [“Similarly, take the time to get into shape so you can get to that great spot and be able to fish it all day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-deeter/similarly-take-the-time-to-get-into-shape-so-you-can-get-to-that/) [Kirk Deeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-deeter/) > [“It's a familiar, if not exactly inspiring, message: in the face of slim pickings, lower your standards. It also makes clear the converse: with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-christian-tom-griffiths/it-s-a-familiar-if-not-exactly-inspiring-message-in-the-face-of-slim/) [Brian Christian, Tom Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-christian-tom-griffiths/) > [The kind of fishing that I do is pretty much bass, trout or freshwater fishing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-steyn/the-kind-of-fishing-that-i-do-is-pretty-much-bass-trout-or-freshwater/) [Dale Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-steyn/) [Browse all 2,977 Fish quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I teach my sons that there are really only three rules to being a good man. The first rule is to fish often. And by fish, I mean find the quiet times to fish around in your minds for what is most important. The second rule is to protect everyone smaller than them. 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