“A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty”

“A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands/pockets are empty” is a popular saying about fathers. “FRESHLY MINTED—A truly rich man is one who can get his children to run into his arms, when his hands are empty” was cited in print in May 1976. The authorship of the saying is unknown.
 
     
Wikiquote: Fathers
Unsourced
“A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.” ~ Anonymous
 
17 May 1975, Times-Bulletin (Van Wert, OH), “Bank Notes,” pg. 10, col. 6:
FRESHLY MINTED—A truly rich man is one who can get his children to run into his arms, when his hands are empty.
 
4 August 1976, Beatrice (NE) Daily Sun, “Thoughts & Tidbits” by Mrs. Ray Larkins, pg. 19, cvol. 3:
A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.
     
23 September 1986, Atlanta (GA) Journal-Constitution, pg. C1:
“A truly rich man is one who has children who run into his arms when his pockets are empty.”
 
16 June 1996,

(Salt Lake City, UT), “One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters”:
“A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty,” reflects an anonymous person.
   
Google Books
Quotable Quotes:
Wit & Wisdom For Every Occasion
By Editors of Reader’s Digest
Pleasantville, NY: Reader’s Digest
1997
Pg. ?:
A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. —Spotlight (Boise, Idaho)
   
Google Books
365 Inspirational Words of Wisdom:
Quotes That Touch the Heart and Empower the Soul
By Marlon A. Greer
Bloomington, IN: Balboa Press
2012
Pg. 114:
“A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.” –Anonymous