Whether we’re talking Cliff Huxtable, Homer Simpson, or the real-life guy who has dispensed amazing advice, handed out allowances, revoked Internet privileges, administered groundings, and embarrassed you in front of your friends, a father figure can be a unique influence and a pretty special person to have in your life, #dadjokes and all. In honor of Father’s Day, we’re sharing some of our favorite pearls of wisdom, straight from Greatist dads and father figures.

Also Check Out: Top 25 Father’s Day Gifts

1. “Pathways tend to have unexpected surprises.” -Pete “Dad” Castillo

After tripping on one of my runs (lol), I texted my dad a picture of my gnarly knee scrape (now scar) just to be like, “Yay running/coordination!” He replied with some surprisingly universal advice: “You have to be careful. Pathways tend to have unexpected surprises.” – Stephanie Castillo, associate editor

2. “Relationships are the most important. If you’re an enjoyable coworker, optimistic, and have a positive attitude, you’ll go far.” – Steve Mendivil

Steve Mendivil is my best friend’s dad, and I spend every Christmas with the Mendivil family. He’s helped me a ton with life decisions, especially with my career. What I’ve learned from him is that relationships are the most important. If you’re an enjoyable coworker, optimistic, and have a positive attitude, you’ll go far. He reminds me to not take life too seriously and inspires me to be my best. #whatwouldstevedo is our “family” motto. We even made fake tattoos! – Amanda Delaney, director of office operations

3. “If you eat a little more, you can be a little Fuller.” – Brian “Papa Brian” Fuller

My dad taught me more valuable lessons than any class I ever took. (Eep, sorry for making you pay for them, Dad!). But I’d say the biggest life takeaway was: To enjoy food to the max and never feel guilty about it, because it is delicious and an amazing way to bring together the family. I count the days until gatherings when we all overstuff ourselves, always wearing looser garments on purpose, and laugh the night away. The kitchen is a magical place in my family—a place where food is appreciated, enjoyed, and never looked at with guilt.- Tara Fuller, director of brand strategy

4. “You shouldn’t wait for someone to give you an opportunity when you can create your own.” –Ansar “Dad” Haroun

The biggest thing I’ve learned from him is that you shouldn’t wait for someone to give you an opportunity when you can create your own. – Omar Haroun, chief revenue officer

5. “Be good to others.” – Henri “Papa” Hau

“Be an honest person” and “Be good to others.” (That probably comes from his “can’t say no” personality.). I can say he’s a pretty honest (and straightforward) person. – Simon Hau, software developer

6. “You can go broke ‘saving money.'” – Scott “Dad” Lerner

Don’t be a sucker for a “good deal.” People can go broke “saving money.” I think of this every time my roommate walks in with eight boxes of instant rice or five sticks of an unknown deodorant. – Abby Lerner, editorial director

7. “It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.” – Larry “Dad” Newcomer

My Dad is and has always been a firm advocate for the concept that “It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.” What he means by this, I think, is that you need to live your own life for yourself, first and foremost. That’s not to say you should go around treating other people terribly, but rather that you should be true to who you are and what you value so that you can really create your own life. – Laura Newcomer, senior editor

8. “Find a hobby and take time to enjoy it, no matter how busy your life may get—but never settle on just one.” – Dave “DJ Dave” Steinhilber

Find a hobby and take time to enjoy it no matter how busy your life may get—but never settle on just one. My dad has tested out just about every hobby under the sun—record-collecting, extreme gardening, electric guitar, model-train-building, and his latest passion (borderline obsession): fishing (to name just a few). In his incredibly busy life, he still sets aside time to relax and do the things that make him happy, which in turn make him one of the most interesting, knowledgable, high-spirited guys around. – Kim Steinhilber, senior designer

9. “Be nice to people on the way up because they’re the same people you’ll see on the way down.” – Bill “Dad” Portanova

Be nice to people on the way up because they’re the same people you’ll see on the way down. – Mike Portanova, director of growth

10. “Every person deserves respect, compassion, and equal opportunity.” – Stan “Pops” Tamarkin

No one has taught me more about justice, fairness, and equality than my dad. I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t understand, thanks to him, that every person deserves respect, compassion, and equal opportunity. And if they’re not getting those things, it’s up to the rest of us to do something about it. – Sally Tamarkin, associate editor

Happy Father’s Day!