... rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut.

to listen twice as much as talk

follow leaders

watch your parking meters

Don't talk as much as your old man.
Work hard.

worry endlessly what others think of you. As long as you treat people with respect you'll be ok.

Oh, and wear sunscreen.

and teach yer kids the same.

on packing me off to big school "if anyone tries to bully you, punch them first" would be very wise these days. Worked for me though, although those were the days of "leave it, I've had enough", pick each other up, shake hands, "you're alright you" and return to kickabout. Nowadays you're more likely to get a knife pulled on you in return!

before you open your mouth (failed to do this on many occasions).

If someone tells you they want space or they need time to get back to you then let them have that time or space. Badgering people doesn't often provide the best solution.

Never play cards with a man called Doc. Never eat at a place called Mom's. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own. I forget what the fourth one was.

(Unless it's something recommended by Bob, in which case, bin it)

He had two views on marriage:

"Think about it until you're 40, then forget it."

Or if you must partake:

"Make sure you check her mother out first."

That should see them both right.

You don't tug on superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask of the ol' lone ranger
And you don't mess around with Jim

so go and experience it for yourself and get back to me later and let me know what you think."

dance on carpet

includes the sage advice to pass on:

A quitter never wins
A winner never quits

Do anything you like, but don't smoke.

(He was a smoker at the time, I've never even wanted to try it).

as you would be done to and...

....always dip your bread in while the gravy's hot!

Ok. Here's the whisky. Here's the gun.
Run along. now.

Think about what you say.

Find enough reasons to laugh as much as you can, because you will be given enough reasons to cry.

Never fight a big man in an alley

If you can't be good, be careful

A smack in the teeth often offends

We're here for a good time, not a long time

Your new friends are silver, but your old friends are gold.

is largely a matter of personal choice.

in different films:

'A man's gotta know his limitations'

And better still offering advice to a kid:

'Careful who you hang out with. If you hang out with good people you make good friends, if you hang out with bums you meet more bums.'

Or

God damn it, you've got to be kind.

...is one my Grandma used to say a lot. Which the more I think about it gets more deep and meaningful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiderata

encapsulates most of the above. I have a little framed copy in my office. Always worth a look on Mondays.

The oldest briefly returned home this summer after graduation and we were delighted that he quickly got a job in his chosen field. This meant he moved out for what will probably be for good three months ago.

Like most Father/Son relationships we have had some rough patches, particularly around his mid teens. He has grown up a lot during his time at University and seems to tolerate me rather better than in the past. Two days before he moved out we went for a decent walk ending up at my local for a couple of pints where I tried to deliver some final thoughts;

Always buy your round
Work hard but never be a slave to your employer
Keep in mind your hourly rate of net pay. When faced with any significant purchase that you want but don't need, ask yourself how many hours of work will it cost.
and put your bloody phone down when people are talking to you.

or

Its nice to be important but its more important to be nice

The love you take is equal to the love you make.

The white stuff is bitter and the black stuff is poisonous

Marry your second wife first...