First of all, single mothers don't date. They've been to the circus. Know what I mean? They've been to the puppet show and they've seen the strings.

Cuba Gooding Jr., Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.)

13 seconds sound clip from the Jerry Maguire movie soundboard.

You can hear this line at 01:32:51.572 in the Blu-ray version of the movie.

Quote context

[...]

- I know you needed that commission, but we ain't gonna bring Reebok to their knees with no regional Kammell ad. Excuse me, darlin'.

- Can I ask you a question that's totally unrelated to your career?

- Oh, what, we gonna be friends now?

- What do you know about dating a single mother?

- Plenty. I was raised by a single mother.

- Well, tell me, because I think, after this, she's gonna have to take that job in San Diego.

- First of all, single mothers don't date. They've been to the circus. Know what I mean? They've been to the puppet show and they've seen the strings.

- Do you love her?

- How do I know?

- What do you mean how you know? You know when you know.

- You know, I'm feeling a little... You know I mean, I don't want her to go. I been hanging out at her place a lot.

- Oh, wait, wait, no, wait. That right there, that's bullshit.

- You gotta be fair to her. A single mother, man, that's a sacred thing. You gotta have the talk.

[...]