How we cite our quotes: Line
Quote #1
It's you, dear lad, who's been rolling—in my money. / And now I've been served papers, and other creditors are threatening to sue me. (33-34)
Strepsiades's son, Pheidippides, is bad about money, and after footing the bill for his son's fun-time activities (such as a fondness for horse racing) for a while, Strepsiades has got creditors after him. You'll soon find that Strepsiades and Pheidippides are both pretty ridiculous people who make foolish choices basically all the time.
Quote #2
Hey now, be quiet! Don't speak childishly. / And have a care about your father's daily bread. / Lay off the racing and join their company. (105-108)
Strepsiades has cooked up the plan that Pheidippides should go to the local Thinkery and figure out how to talk his way out of their debts. The irony is that his plan is pretty ridiculous and childish (seriously, don't only children expect to avoid the consequences of their actions?), but he's calling out his son's "childish" speech and behavior. Like father, like son.
Quote #3
And I won't take this setback lying down. / I'll say a little prayer and go myself / to the Thinkery to get an education. / But how's an old man like me, forgetful and dense, / to learn precise, hair-splitting arguments? (126-130)
Poor Strepsiades decides to go to the Thinkery himself when he can't get Pheidippides involved in his cause… but he's afraid he's not quite sharp enough to grasp all the material. As we'll soon find, Strepsiades isn't portrayed as the brainiest dude.