I think Winnie- the-Pooh stories have some of the best lines. Created by A.A. Milne and originally illustrated by E.H. Shepherd in England, Winnie-the-Pooh is based partly on a Black Bear from Canada, named Winnipeg, who was actually female. Winnipeg’s name was then adapted by Milne’s son, Christopher Robin Milne, to “Winnie” for his own stuffed bear. The “Pooh” part was apparently related to a swan that he called by the same name.
Based on Christopher’s childhood group of stuffed animals, Milne developed the original stories, which take place in the 100 Acre Wood, based on the 500 acre wood in England. The characters were later developed by Disney and unhyphenated to Winnie the Pooh. Many now know Winnie as “Pooh Bear.” The real Christopher Robin’s original stuffed animals (minus Roo, who was lost) are housed in the New York Public Library.
Sound a bit complicated? You can read the fuller story here and here.
I enjoy quotes, especially from children’s literature, and as I was having a look for more, I found so many fun and inspirational ones from A.A. Milne and his wonderful characters that instead of including other stories, I kept coming back to these ones.
Sensible advice …
It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine. – Eeyore
If the string breaks, then we try another piece of string. – Owl
If possible, try to find a way of coming downstairs that doesn’t involve going bump,bump, bump on your head. – Winnie the Pooh
“It all comes,” said Pooh crossly, “of not having doors big enough.”
On taking life easy …
What I like best is just doing nothing. – Christopher Robin
It means just going along, listening to the things you can’t hear, and not bothering. – Winnie the Pooh
I always get to where I’m going by walking away from where I’ve been. – Pooh
What’s wrong with knowing what you know now and not knowing what you don’t know until later? – Winnie the Pooh
On being open to possibilities…
I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today. – Piglet
When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure an adventure is about to happen. – Winnie the Pooh
You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think – Christopher Robin
Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them – Winnie the Pooh
One of the advantages of being disorganized is that one is always having surprising discoveries. – Winnie the Pooh
You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to come to them sometimes. – Winnie the Pooh
Think, think, think – Winnie the Pooh
On love and friendship…
After all, I can’t complain. I have my friends. – Eeyore
Love is taking a few steps back, maybe even more … to give way to the happiness of the person you love. – Winnie the Pooh
A little consideration. A little thought for others, makes all the difference. – Winnie the Pooh
If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever. – Winnie the Pooh
Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
“Pooh!” He whispered.
“Yes, Piglet?”
“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw. “I just wanted to be sure of you.”
“How do you spell ‘love’?” – Piglet
“You don’t spell it – you feel it.” – Pooh
On the importance to people of being a meaningful part of things …
Piglet was so excited about bring useful that he forgot about being frightened any more. – A.A. Milne
He could hardly sit still, he was so eager to begin being useful at once. – A.A. Milne (about Piglet).
Pooh thought that he ought to say something helpful about it, but didn’t quite know what. So he decided to do something helpful instead. – A. A. Milne
On the importance of a good meal …
What could be more important than a little something to eat? – Winnie the Pooh
It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like, “What about lunch?” – Winnie the Pooh
-“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,”said Piglet at least, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?”
“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?”
“I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today,” said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the same thing,” he said.
-“Well,” said Pooh,”what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good think to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat in which it was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.
Did you know that there is a picture book based on the story of how Winnie the Pooh came to be?
My favourite memory of a Winnie the Pooh quote is based on “Think, think, think.” My oldest, G, was about three years old and often watched Winnie the Pooh. Sometimes I’d see him with several toys animals out, trying to decide what story to create with them. He’d put his chin in one hand and with the fingers on his other hand tap his temple three times, and say to himself, “Hmm, fink, fink, fink.” (The “th” sounds didn’t come for some years later:).
The one that speaks to me the most right now is, “One of the advantages of being disorganized is that one is always having surprising discoveries.” It’s true. What an optimistic way of looking at a regularly frustrating situation.
Do you have a quote that is a favourite?
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Thanks Stephanie:). Yes, I love both of those too. I also like that whole section of love and friendship quotes and actually there are so many lovely illustrations that demonstrate those particular quotes. And yes, definitely good to have in the back of our minds throughout the day.
‘What’s wrong with knowing what you know now and not knowing what you don’t know until later?’
Such a great one for those doubting moments, John Holt couldn’t have said it better.
And this one touched me this morning…
“How do you spell ‘love’?” – Piglet
“You don’t spell it – you feel it.” – Pooh
Great collection, Erin, thanks. And will definitely check out the book and links. Your post was very timely in our house. My eldest daughter is reading Winnie the Pooh to her little sister at the moment and they’re loving it 🙂
Thank you, Hayley! That’s very funny timing that you have people at your house reading Winnie the Pooh right now! And yes, I agree that John Holt couldn’t have said it better…
I think I have a new favourite right here:
It is more fun to talk to someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like, “What about lunch?” (Winnie the Pooh).
Couldn’t have said it better 😄.
I agree! Thanks Liz:).