Brother And Sister Quotes That Show What Having Siblings Is Really Like

Updated April 10, 2024by Regain Editorial Team

Having siblings can make life an interesting ride. Whether you're the oldest, the middle child, or the youngest, whether you have brothers, sisters, or a mix of the two, siblings often keep you on your toes. 

Every sibling relationship is unique. For many, you're relatives and likely fought many of the same battles growing up, which can help you bond as a unit against the world. 

For example, you may have argued with your parents together before arguing with each other. And you might have teased each other, worn each other's clothes, or divulged all your secrets together. But, on the other hand, maybe you didn't grow up with your sibling because of a significant age gap, or you lived in different households.

Whatever the case, sibling relationships are different from most others in life, and it can be nice to read quotes from those with firsthand experience. You might work through your feelings about your siblings in therapy, but sometimes, a few bits of wisdom from others is all you need while reflecting on your relationship with them. 

This article features quotes about brothers and sisters that show what having siblings is really like. Keep reading to see if you can relate. 

Wise quotes siblings can relate to 

Getty/AnnaStills
Need help with family life?

Regardless of how you feel about your siblings, there's likely no one else in your life quite like them. And whether you're looking for something to put in a card to your brother or sister, or you're missing them and wanting to put a smile on your face, quotes about siblings can help put your feelings into words. 

Here are some of the most powerful quotes siblings can relate to: 

"Brothers and sisters can say things to one another that no one else can." - Gregory E. Lane

"The mildest, drowsiest sister has been known to turn tiger if her sibling is in trouble." - Clara Ortega

"I had a really wonderful upbringing. We were a tight family. It was wonderful to grow up with so many siblings. We were all just a year or two apart, and we were always so supportive of each other. I learned everything from my older brother and sister and taught it to my younger sisters." - Joaquin Phoenix

"The highlight of my childhood was making my brother laugh so hard that food came out of his nose." - Garrison Keillor 

"Our brothers and sisters are there with us from the dawn of our personal stories to the inevitable dusk." - Susan Scarf Merrell

"Being his real brother, I could feel I live in his shadows, but I never have, and I do not now. I live in his glow." - Michael Morpurgo

"Our siblings push buttons that cast us in roles we felt sure we had let go of long ago - the baby, the peacekeeper, the caretaker, the avoider…It doesn't seem to matter how much time has elapsed or how far we've traveled." - Jane Mersky Leder

"Our paths may change as life goes along, but the bond between us remains ever strong, my dear brother." - Unknown

"Sibling relationships outlast marriages, survive the death of parents, and resurface after quarrels that would sink any friendship. They flourish in a thousand incarnations of closeness and distance, warmth, loyalty, and distrust." - Erica E. Goode

"My sister and I are so close that we finish each other's sentences and often wonder whose memories belong to whom." - Shannon Celebi

"I see a brother and sister, sitting over there together, fighting over a toy, they just can't seem to see, their love shining through, with every smile that they bring." - Valerie Dupont

"I would ask my parents something but then go to my siblings. We were encouraged to bounce ideas off everyone." - Ahmet Zappa

"Having lots of siblings is like having built-in best friends." - Kim Kardashian

"Brother and sister, together as friends, ready to face whatever life sends. Joy and laughter or tears and strife, holding hands tightly as we dance through life." - Suzie Huitt

"Be nice to your siblings; they're your best link to your past and the most likely to stay with you in the future." - Baz Lurhmann

"The best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend." - Cali Rae Turner

"Because brothers don't let each other wander in the dark alone." - Jolene Perry

"To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We remember family feuds and secrets, family grief, and joys. We live outside the touch of time." - Clara Ortega

"Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet." - Vietnamese Proverb

"A sibling may be the keeper of one's identity, the only person with the keys to one's unfettered, more fundamental self." - Marian Sandmaier

"I don't believe an accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers. It makes them siblings, gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at." - Maya Angelou

"Sweet is the voice of a sister in the season of sorrow, and wise is the counsel of those who love us." - Benjamin Disraeli

"Brothers are like streetlights along the road, they don't make distance any shorter, but they light up the path and make the walk worthwhile." - Unknown

"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply." - Jane Austen

Getty/Halfpoint Images

"Help your brother's boat across, and your own will reach the shore." - Hindu Proverb

"Brothers don't necessarily have to say anything to each other - they can sit in a room and be together and just be completely comfortable with each other." - Leonardo DiCaprio

"If you have a brother or sister, tell them you love them every day, that's the most beautiful thing. I told my sister how much I loved her every day. That's the only reason I'm OK right now." - Amaury Nolasco

"Brothers and sisters can say things to one another that no one else can." - Gregory E. Lang

"My sister accommodates me, never reproaches me with her doctrine, and never tries to change me. She accepts and loves me, despite our differences." - Joy Harjo

"Brothers and sisters separated by distance joined by love." - Chuck Danes

"A bond as important as that of a husband and wife is the bond between siblings." - Lee Dong-Wook

"My siblings are my best friends." - America Ferrera

"The greatest gift our parents ever gave us was each other." - Unknown

"As we grew up, my brothers acted like they didn't care, but I always knew they looked out for me and were there." - Catherine Pulsifer

"Power, that's one thing, but love of family and of siblings is more important, is more powerful than any other power - at least earthly power, at least earthly power." - Sander Levin

"Growing up, I had a very normal relationship with my brother and sister. But, over time, they became my best friends, and now I hang out with them all the time. I'm very close with them." - Logan Lerman

"Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister?" - Alice Walker

"I can't promise to solve all your problems, but I can promise you won't have to face them alone." - Unknown

"There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother." - Terri Guillemets

"They say that no matter how old you become, when you are with your siblings, you revert back to childhood." - Karen White

"When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us?" - Pam Brown

"Whatever you do they will love you; even if they don't love you they are connected to you till you die. You can be boring and tedious with sisters, whereas you have to put on a good face with friends." - Deborah Moggach

"Sisters and brothers are the truest, purest forms of love, family, and friendship, knowing when to hold you and when to challenge you, but always being a part of you." - Carol Ann Albright Eastman

"A sister is someone who loves you from the heart. No matter how much you argue, you cannot be drawn apart." - Shiv Sharma

"Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply by being there for each other." - Carol Saline

"Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there." - Amy Li

"Your parents are the parents you know best. Your brother and sister, if you have them, are the brother and sister you know best. They may not be the ones you like the best. They may not be the most interesting, but they are the closest and probably the clearest to you." - James Salter

"To have a loving relationship with a sister is not simply to have a buddy or a confidant, it is to have a soul mate for life." - Victoria Secunda

"Your parents leave you too soon, and your kids and spouse come along late, but your siblings know you when you are in your most inchoate form." - Jeffrey Kluger

"Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring - quite often the hard way." - Pamela Dugdale

Explore more about sibling relationships in online therapy

Getty/AnnaStills
Need help with family life?

We hope you found some relatable quotes from this list – if you did, consider keeping them with you to reflect on when you're thinking about your siblings. And if you feel comfortable doing so, you might enjoy sharing a few of these quotes with your siblings to let them know how you feel about them. 

If you'd like to discuss your relationships with your siblings, speaking with a licensed therapist might also be helpful. Therapy offers benefits like improved communication skills, personal empowerment, and healthier life choices, and it's a safe place to talk about how you feel with an unbiased mediator. You can also attend therapy with your siblings, partners, and others close to you to work on your relationships. 

Online therapy often makes starting your mental health journey easier because you can have sessions from the comfort of your home or anywhere you'd like, as long as you have a device with an internet connection. And you're not limited to professionals within driving distance of your home. It's just as effective as in-person therapy, and if you plan to have sessions with someone close to you, online options can make it more convenient for all parties. 

If you'd like to try online therapy, Regain can connect you with a licensed, experienced therapist based on your needs and preferences. You can contact your therapist 24/7, and they'll respond as soon as possible. 

For Additional Help & Support With Your ConcernsThis website is owned and operated by BetterHelp, who receives all fees associated with the platform.
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet Started
This website is owned and operated by BetterHelp, who receives all fees associated with the platform.