“Maybe if we’d made the ‘Most Wanted’ feel wanted earlier, they wouldn’t be wanted now”

New York City-born actor, songwriter and comedian Eddie Cantor (1892-1964) was a humanitarian who supported and helped name the charity The March of Dimes. He wrote about children in The Way I See It (1959):
 
“But the first world that they know is still the most important. If his home is happy—if a kid is cared about, not merely cared for—he can cope. When I see the ‘Ten Most Wanted’ lists— the WANTED posters— I always have this thought. If we’d made them feel wanted earlier, they wouldn’t be WANTED now.”
 
Cantor’s sentiments about the “Most Wanted” posters of criminals has been frequently cited.
 
   
Wikipedia: Eddie Cantor
Eddie Cantor (c. September 21, 1892 – October 10, 1964), born Edward Israel Iskowitz, was an American “illustrated song” performer, comedian, dancer, singer, actor and songwriter. Familiar to Broadway, radio, movie and early television audiences, this “Apostle of Pep” was regarded almost as a family member by millions because his top-rated radio shows revealed intimate stories and amusing anecdotes about his wife Ida and five daughters. Some of his hits include “Makin’ Whoopee”, “Ida”, “Yes! We Have No Bananas”, “If You Knew Susie”, “Ma! He’s Makin’ Eyes at Me”, “Baby”, “Margie”, and “How Ya Gonna Keep ‘em Down on the Farm (After They’ve Seen Paree)?” He also wrote a few songs, including “Merrily We Roll Along”, the Merrie Melodies Warner Bros. cartoon theme.
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His charity and humanitarian work was extensive, and he is credited with coining the phrase, and helping to develop The March of Dimes. He was awarded an honorary Academy Award in 1956 for distinguished service to the film industry.
 
Google Books
The Way I See It
By Eddie Cantor
Edited by Phyllis I. Rosenteur
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall
1959
Pg. 45:
But the first world that they know is still the most important. If his home is happy—if a kid is cared about, not merely cared for—he can cope. When I see the “Ten Most Wanted” lists— the WANTED posters— I always have this thought. If we’d made them feel wanted earlier, they wouldn’t be WANTED now.
 
Google Books
Webster’s New World Best Book of Aphorisms
By Auriel Douglas and Michael Strumpf
New York, NY: Webster’s NewWorld: Distributed by Prentice Hall
1989
Pg. 95:
When I see the ten most wanted list, I always have this thought, if we’d made them feel wanted earlier, they wouldn’t be wanted now. — Eddie Cantor
 
Google Books
At Least Partly True
(Illustrated and Expanded
By Henry Hart
Midland, MI: Henry Hart
1990
Pg. 102:
Overheard Conversation: Lady in front of FBI’s “10 MOST WANTED CRIMINALS” poster in the Post Office: “Maybe, if they had been wanted more when they were children, they wouldn’t be “WANTED” now.”
 
Google Books
Little Giant Encyclopedia:
Toasts & Quotes
By Diagram Group
New York, NY: Sterling Innovation
2009
Pg. 169:
When I see the Ten Most Wanted lists . . . I always have this thought: If we’d made them feel wanted earlier, they wouldn ‘t be wanted now.
EDDIE CANTOR
 
Twitter
Jewish Comedians
‏@JewishComedians
Eddie Cantor: When I see the 10 Most Wanted Lists I always think a If we’d made them feel wanted earlier, they wouldn’t be wanted now.
1:24 PM - 29 Oct 2015