Top quotes by James M. Barrie

The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it. Votes: 19

I'm youth, I'm joy, I'm a little bird that has broken out of the egg. Votes: 18

Dreams do come true, if we only wish hard enough, You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it. Votes: 18

For several days after my first book was published, I carried it about in my pocket and took surreptitious peeps at it to make sure the ink had not faded. Votes: 17

The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one does. Votes: 15

That is ever the way. Tis all jealousy to the bride and good wishes to the corpse. Votes: 15

That is ever the way. 'Tis all jealousy to the bride and good wishes to the corpse. Votes: 14

Do you believe in fairies? Say quick that you believe. If you believe, clap your hands! Votes: 14

Life is a long lesson in humility. Votes: 14

When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies. Votes: 14

Build a house?" exclaimed John. "For the Wendy," said Curly. "For Wendy?" John said, aghast. "Why, she is only a girl!" "That," explained Curly, "is why we are her servants. Votes: 12

Temper is a weapon that we hold by the blade. Votes: 10

A safe but sometimes chilly way of recalling the past is to force open a crammed drawer. If you are searching for anything in particular you don't find it, but something falls out at the back that is often more interesting. Votes: 10

No, no," Mr. Darling always said, "I am responsible for it all. I, George Darling, did it. MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA." He had had a classical education. Votes: 9

I am aware that those hateful persons called Original Researchers now maintain that Raleigh was not the man; but to them I turn a deaf ear. Votes: 9

Strength instead of being the lusty child of passion, grows by grappling with and subduing them. Votes: 8

Fame is rot; daughters are the thing. Votes: 8

You know that place between sleep and awake, the place where you can still remember dreaming? That's where I'll always love you. That's where I'll be waiting. Votes: 6

For when you looked into my mother's eyes you knew, as if He had told you, why God sent her into the world - it was to open then minds of all who looked to beautiful thoughts. And that is the beginning and end of literature. Votes: 6

God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December. Votes: 6

Has it ever struck you that trout bite best on the Sabbath? God's critters tempting decent men. Votes: 5

Dreams do come true, if we only wish hard enough. Votes: 5

Every man who is high up likes to think that he has done it all himself, and the wife smiles and lets it go at that. Votes: 4

To die will be an awfully big adventure. Votes: 4

We never understand how little we need in this world until we know the loss of it. Votes: 4

The best place a person can die, is where they die for others. Votes: 4

What is algebra exactly; is it those three-cornered things? Votes: 3

I'll teach you how to jump on the wind's back, and then away we go. Votes: 3

Oh the gladness of their gladness when they're glad, And the sadness of their sadness when they're sad; But the gladness of their gladness, and the sadness of their sadness, Are as nothing to their badness when they're bad Votes: 3

Children have the strangest adventures without being troubled by them. For instance, they may remember to mention, a week after the event happened, that when they were in the wood they had met their dead father and had a game with him. Votes: 2

The Elizabethan age might be better named the beginning of the smoking era.. Votes: 0

In dinner talk it is perhaps allowable to fling any faggot rather than let the fire go out. Votes: 0

You see, dear, it is not true that woman was made from man's rib; she was made from his funny bone. Votes: 0

The gates of heaven are so easily found when we are little, and they are always standing open to let children wander in. Votes: 0

Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting. Votes: 0

You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by; but some of them are golden only because we let them slip by. Votes: 0

The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings. Votes: 0

For to have faith, is to have wings" Peter Pan Votes: 0

Let no one who loves be unhappy, even love unreturned has its rainbow. Votes: 0

He who distributes the milk of human kindness cannot help but spill a little on himself. Votes: 0

I am the best there ever was! Votes: 0

Ambition it is the last infirmity of noble minds. Votes: 0

You just think lovely wonderful thoughts," Peter explained, "and they lift you up in the air. Votes: 0

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. Votes: 0

His lordship may compel us to be equal upstairs, but there will never be equality in the servants' hall. Votes: 0

Love is not blind; it is an extra eye, which shows us what is most worthy of regard. Votes: 0

Never ascribe to an opponent motives meaner than your own. Votes: 0

So come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned. Just think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever, in Never Never Land! Votes: 0

There is a saying in the Neverland that,every time you breathe, a grown-up dies. Votes: 0

Second to the right, and straight on till morning.' That, Peter had told Wendy, was the way to the Neverland; but even birds, carrying maps and consulting them at windy corners, could not have sighted it with these instructions. Peter, you see, just said anything that came into his head. Votes: 0

Feeling that Peter was on his way back, the Neverland had again woke into life. We ought to use the pluperfect and say wakened, but woke is better and was always used by Peter. Votes: 0

He was so full of wrath against grown-ups, who as usual, were spoiling everything, that as soon as he got inside his tree he breathed intentionally quick short breaths at the rate of about five to a second. He did this because there is a saying in the Neverland, that everytime you breathe, a grown-up dies; and Peter was killing them of vindictively as fast as possible. Votes: 0

The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it. Votes: 0

Because you see when a new baby laughs for the first time a new fairy is born, and as there are always new babies there are always new fairies. They live in nests on the tops of trees; and the mauve ones are boys and the white ones are girls, and the blue ones are just little sillies who are not sure what they are. Votes: 0

When a new baby laughs for the first time a new fairy is born, and as there are always new babies there are always new fairies. Votes: 0

Can anything harm us, mother, after the night-lights are lit?" Nothing, precious," she said; "they are the eyes a mother leaves behind her to guard her children. Votes: 0

Do you know," Peter asked, "why swallows build in the eaves of houses? It is to listen to the stories. Votes: 0

All you need is trust and a little bit of pixie dust! Votes: 0

All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust. Votes: 0

What a polite game tennis is. The chief word in it seems to be "sorry" and admiration of each other's play crosses the net as frequently as the ball. Votes: 0

The praise that comes from love does not make us vain, but more humble. Votes: 0

Girls are much too clever to fall out of their prams Votes: 0

It may have been quixotic, but it was magnificent. Votes: 0

Mr. Darling used to boast to Wendy that her mother not only loved him but respected him. He was one of those deep ones who know about stocks and shares. Of course no one really knows, but he quite seemed to know, and he often said stocks were up and shares were down in a way that would have made any woman respect him. Votes: 0

Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight: always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary? Votes: 0

You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by. Yes, but some of them are golden only because we let them slip. Votes: 0

I've sometimes thought . . . that the difference between us and the English is that the Scotch are hard in all other respects but soft with women, and the English are hard with women but soft in all other respects. Votes: 0

You [Scots] come of a race of men the very wind of whose name has swept to the ultimate seas. Votes: 0

There are few more impressive sights in the world than a Scotsman on the make. Votes: 0

I have always found that the man whose second thoughts are good is worth watching. Votes: 0

You won't forget me, Peter, will you, before spring-cleaning time comes? Of course Peter promised, and then he flew away. He took Mrs. Darling's kiss with him. The kiss that had been for no one else Peter took quite easily. Funny. But she seemd satisfied. Votes: 0

It is not real work unless you would rather be doing something else. Votes: 0

The most useless are those who never change through the years. Votes: 0

Forget them, Wendy. Forget them all. Come with me where you'll never, never have to worry about grown up things again. Never is an awfully long time. Votes: 0

Wendy: Sir, you are both ungallant and deficient! Peter: How am I deficient? Wendy: You're just a boy. Votes: 0

Wendy," Peter Pan continued in a voice that no woman has ever yet been able to resist, "Wendy, one girl is more use than twenty boys. Votes: 0

Wendy, Wendy, when you are sleeping in your silly bed you might be flying about with me saying funny things to the stars. Votes: 0

She was a lovely lady, with a romantic mind and such a sweet mocking mouth. Her romantic mind was like the tiny boxes, one within the other, that come from the puzzling East, however many you discover there is always one more; and her sweet mocking mouth had one kiss on it that Wendy could never get, though there it was, perfectly conspicuous in the right-hand corner. Votes: 0

Peter: Oh, the cleverness of me. Wendy: Of course, I did nothing... Peter: You did a little. Wendy: Oh, the cleverness of you. Votes: 0

This meal happened to be a make-believe tea, and they sat round the board guzzling in their greed; and really, what with their chatter and recriminations, the noise, as Wendy said, was positively deafening. Votes: 0

Ambition - it is the last infirmity of noble minds. Votes: 0

Always be a little kinder than necessary. Votes: 0

His lordship may compel us to be equal upstairs, but there will never be equality in the servants hall. Votes: 0

Everytime a child says 'I don't believe in fairies' there is a a little fairy somewhere that falls down dead. Votes: 0

Every time a child says I don't believe in fairies there is a fairy somewhere that falls down dead. Votes: 0

I know not, sir, whether Bacon wrote the works of Shakespeare, but if he did not, it seems to me that he missed the opportunity of his life. Votes: 0

I am not young enough to know everything. Votes: 0

i know i'm not clever but i'm always right. Votes: 0

Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else. Votes: 0

Fairies have to be one thing or the other, because being so small they unfortunately have room for one feeling only at a time. Votes: 0

Would you like an adventure now, or would like to have your tea first? Votes: 0

It is frightfully difficult to know much about the fairies, and almost the only thing for certain is that there are fairies wherever there are children. Votes: 0

Always try to be a litle kinder than necessary. Votes: 0

We are all failures - at least the best of us are. Votes: 0

Have you noticed that many jewels make women either incredibly fat or incredibly thin? Votes: 0

How shall we ever know if it's morning if there's no servant to pull up the blinds? Votes: 0

A woman can be anything the man who loves her would have her be. Votes: 0

In England, justice is open to all - like the Ritz Hotel. Votes: 0

Those who aim low usually hit their targets. Votes: 0

If you cannot teach me to fly, teach me to sing. Votes: 0

As soon as you can say what you think and not what some other person has thought for you, you are on the way to being a remarkable man. Votes: 0

We should be slower to think that the man at his worst is the real man, and certain that the better we are ourselves the less likely is he to be at his worst in our company. Every time he talks away his own character before us he is signifying contempt for ours. Votes: 0

All of this has happened before, and it will all happen again. Votes: 0

I suppose it's like the ticking crocodile, isn't it? Time is chasing after all of us. Votes: 0

And if he forgets them so quickly," Wendy argued, "how can we expect that he will go on remembering us? Votes: 0

Some day,' said Smee, 'the clock will run down, and then he'll get you.' Hook wetted his dry lips, 'Aye,' he said, 'that's the fear that haunts me. Votes: 0

They were going round and round the island, but they did not meet because all were going at the same rate. Votes: 0

All are keeping a sharp look-out in front, but none suspects that the danger may be creeping up from behind. Votes: 0

They knew in what they called their hearts that one can get on quite well without a mother, and that it is only the mothers who think you can't. Votes: 0

astonishing splashes of colour Votes: 0

asleep to rummage in their minds Votes: 0

She was a large woman who seemed not so much dressed as upholstered. Votes: 0

A house is never still in darkness to those who listen intently; there is a whispering in distant chambers, an unearthly hand presses the snib of the window, the latch rises. Ghosts were created when the first man awoke in the night. Votes: 0

Men's second childhood begins when a woman gets a hold of him. Votes: 0

Oh, God, if I were sure I were to die tonight I would repent at once. It is the commonest prayer in all languages. Votes: 0

Most disquieting reflection of all, was it not bad form to think about good form? Votes: 0

He looked at her uncomfortably; blinking, you know, like one not sure whether he was awake or asleep. Votes: 0

Just always be waiting for me. Votes: 0

Growing up is such a barbarous business, full of inconvenience... and pimples. Votes: 0

Years rolled on again, and Wendy had a daughter. This ought not to be written in ink but in a golden splash. Votes: 0

He was a little boy, and she was grown up. She huddled by the fire not daring to move, helpless and guilty, a big woman. Votes: 0

After you have been unfair to him he will love you again, but he will never afterwards be quite the same boy. No one ever gets over the first unfairness; no one except Peter. Votes: 0

Absence makes the heart grow fonder"¦ or forgetful. Votes: 0

Peter invented, with Wendy's help, a new game that fascinated him enormously, until he suddenly had no more interest in it, which, as you have been told, was what always happened with his games. It consisted in pretending not to have adventures... Votes: 0

Two is the beginning of the end. Votes: 0

Again came that ringing crow, and Peter dropped in front of them. "Greeting, boys," he cried, and mechanically they saluted, and then again was silence. He frowned. "I am back," he said hotly, "why do you not cheer? Votes: 0

...it was like an examination paper that asks grammar, when what you want to be asked is Kings of England. Votes: 0

It was dreadful the way all the three were looking at him, just as if they did not admire him. Votes: 0

See," he said, "the arrow struck against this. It is the kiss I gave her. It has saved her life. Votes: 0

You always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end. Votes: 0

A moment after the fairy's entrance the window was blown open by the breathing of the little stars, and Peter dropped in. Votes: 0

If he thought at all, but I don't believe he ever thought, it was that he and his shadow, when brought near each other, would join like drops of water... Votes: 0

I know, I feel, that with the introduction of tobacco England woke up from a long sleep. Suddenly a new zest had been given to life. The glory of existence became a thing to speak of. Men who had hitherto only concerned themselves with the narrow things of home put a pipe into their mouths and became philosophers. Votes: 0

Every living thing was shunning him. Poor little Peter Pan, he sat down and cried, and even then he did not know that, for a bird, he was sitting on his wrong part. It is a blessing that he did not know, for otherwise he would have lost faith in his power to fly, and the moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it. The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings. Votes: 0

All great writers begin with a good leather binding and a respectable title. Votes: 0

You find a glimmer of happiness in this world, there's always someone who wants to destroy it. Votes: 0

Always be kinder than necessary. Votes: 0

You canna expect to be baith grand and comfortable. Votes: 0

I like well to be in the company of explorers Votes: 0

May God blast anyone who writes a biography of me. Votes: 0

I should like to say that I left off smoking because I considered it a mean form of slavery, to be condemned for moral as well as physical reasons; but though I see the folly of smoking clearly now, I was blind to it for some months after I had smoked my last pipe. I gave up my most delightful solace, as I regarded it, for no other reason than that the lady who was willing to fling herself away on me said that I must choose between it and her. Votes: 0

Those who are prepared to die are most prepared to live. Votes: 0

I don't want to go to school and learn solemn things. I don't want to be a man. Votes: 0

I sometimes think, Mary, that it is a mistake to have a dog for a nurse. Votes: 0

Ghosts were created when the first man awoke in the night. Votes: 0

Life is a cup of tea; the more heartily we drink the sooner we reach the dregs. Votes: 0

If 'Hamlet' had been written in these days it would probably have been called 'The Strange Affair at Elsinore. Votes: 0

Some of my plays peter out and some pan out. Votes: 0

Courage: The lovely virtue-the rib of Himself that God sent down to His children. Votes: 0

The man who is in real danger is the man who thinks he is perfectly safe. Votes: 0

The best of our fiction is by novelists who allow that it is as good as they can give, and the worst by novelists who maintain that they could do much better if only the public would let them. Votes: 0

I bowl so slowly that if I don't like a ball I can run after it and bring it back Votes: 0

Heaven for climate, Hell for company. Votes: 0

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle. But you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God. Not in doing what you like but in liking what you do is the secret of happiness. Votes: 0

You were hidden behind walls of ice; no man had passed them; I broke them down and love leapt to love, and you lie here, my beautiful, love in the arms of its lover. Votes: 0

Facts were never pleasing to him. He acquired them with reluctance and got rid of them with relief. He was never on terms with them until he had stood them on their heads. Votes: 0

In love-making, as in other arts, those who do it best cannot tell how it is done. Votes: 0

Your heart is as fresh as your face; and that is well. The useless men are those who never change with the years. Many views that I held to in my youth and long afterwards are a pain to me now, and I am carrying away from Thrums memories of errors into which I fell at every stage of my ministry. When you are older you will know that life is a long lesson in humility. Votes: 0

Death is but the next great adventure. Votes: 0

What is genius? It is the power to be a boy again at will. Votes: 0

It's a sort of bloom on a woman. If you have it, you don't need to have anything else, and if you don't have it, it doesn't much matter what else you have. Some women, the few, have charm for all; and most have charm for one. But some have charm for none. Votes: 0

Times have changed since a certain author was executed for murdering his publisher. They say that when the author was on the scaffold he said good-bye to the minister and to the reporters, and then he saw some publishers sitting in the front row below, and to them he did not say good-bye. He said instead, "I'll see you again." Votes: 0

They hold their great balls in the open air, in what is called a fairy-ring. For weeks afterward you can see the ring on the grass. It is not there when they begin, but they make it by waltzing round and round. Sometimes you will find mushrooms inside the ring, and these are fairy chairs that the servants have forgotten to clear away. The chairs and the rings are the only tell-tale marks these little people leave behind them, and they would remove even these were they not so fond of dancing that they toe it till the very moment of the opening of the gates. Votes: 0

Make your feet your friend. Votes: 0

The praise that comes of love does not make us vain, but humble rather. Knowing what we are, the pride that shines in our mother's eyes as she looks at us is about the most pathetic thing a man has to face, but he would be a devil altogether if it did not burn some of the sin out of him. Votes: 0

One could mention many lovable traits in Smee. For instance, after killing, it was his spectacles he wiped instead of his weapon. Votes: 0

Oh, you mysterious girls, when you are fifty-two we shall find you out; you must come into the open then. If the mouth has fallen sourly yours the blame: all the meanness your youth concealed have been gathering in your face. But the pretty thoughts and sweet ways and dear, forgotten kindnesses linger there also, to bloom in your twilight like evening primroses. Votes: 0

I taught you to fight and to fly. What more could there be? Votes: 0

I do believe in fairies! I do! I do! Votes: 0

It is very well to be able to write a book, but can you waggle your ears? Votes: 0

All the boys were grown up and done for by this time; so it is scarcely worth while saying anything more about them. You may see the twins and Nibs and Curly any day going to an office, each carrying a little bag and an umbrella. Michael is an engine driver. Slightly married a lady of title, and so he became a lord. You see that judge in a wig coming out at the iron door? That used to be Tootles. The bearded man who doesn't know any story to tell his children was once John. Votes: 0

She liked his tears so much that she put out her beautiful finger and let them run over it. Her voice was so low that at first he could not make out what she said. Then he made it out. She was saying that she thought she could get well again if children believed in fairies. Votes: 0

Don't have a mother,' he said. Not only had he no mother, but he had not the slightest desire to have one. He thought them very over-rated persons. Votes: 0

One girl is worth more use than 20 boys. Votes: 0

Stars are beautiful, but they must not take an active part in anything, they must just look on forever. It is a punishment put on them for something they did so long ago that no star now knows what it was. Votes: 0

They took it for granted that if they went he would go also, but really they scarcely cared. Thus children are ever so ready, when novelty knocks, to desert their dearest ones. Votes: 0

Off we skip like the most heartless things in the world, which is what children are, but so attractive; and we have an entirely selfish time, and then when we have need of special attention we nobly return for it, confident that we shall be rewarded instead of smacked. Votes: 0

Mr. and Mrs. Darling and Nana rushed into the nursery too late. The birds were flown Votes: 0

I wasn't crying about mothers," he said rather indignantly. "I was crying because I can't get my shadow to stick on. Besides, I wasn't crying. Votes: 0

Stars are beautiful, but they may not take part in anything, they must just look on forever. Votes: 0

I think one remains the same person throughout, merely passing, as it were, i these lapses of time from one room to another, but all in the same house. Votes: 0

Tink was not all bad: or, rather, she was all bad just now, but, on the other hand, sometimes she was all good. Fairies have to be one thing or the other, because being so small they unfortunately have room for one feeling only at a time. They are, however, allowed to change, only it must be a complete change. Votes: 0

Our heroine knew that the mother would always leave the window open for her children to fly back by; so they stayed away for years and had a lovely time... Votes: 0

The last thing he ever said to me was, 'Just always be waiting for me, and then some night you will hear me crowing. Votes: 0

She asked where he lived. Second to the right,' said Peter, 'and then straight on till morning. Votes: 0

It was then that Hook bit him. Not the pain of this but its unfairness was what dazed Peter. It made him quite helpless. He could only stare, horrified. Every child is affected thus the first time he is treated unfairly. All he thinks he has a right to when he comes to you to be yours is fairness. After you have been unfair to him he will love you again, but he will never afterwards be quite the same boy. No one ever gets over the first unfairness; no one except Peter. Votes: 0

You need not be sorry for her. She was one of the kind that likes to grow up. In the end she grew up of her own free will a day quicker than the other girls. Votes: 0

If you shut your eyes and are a lucky one, you may see at times a shapeless pool of lovely pale colours suspended in the darkness; then if you squeeze your eyes tighter, the pool begins to take shape, and the colours become so vivid that with another squeeze they must go on fire. Votes: 0

On these magic shores children at play are for ever beaching their coracles. We too have been there; we can still hear the sound of the surf, though we shall land no more. Votes: 0

All children, except one, grow up. Votes: 0

Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning. Votes: 0

Thus did the terrified three learn the difference between an island of make-believe and the same island come true. Votes: 0

Yet if he upbraided her in his hurry, it was to repent bitterly his temper the next, and to feel its effects more than she, temper being a weapon that we hold by the blade. Votes: 0

That fiend!" Mr. Darling would cry, and Nana's bark was the echo of it, but Mrs. Darling never upbraided Peter; there was something in the right-hand corner of her mouth that wanted her not to call Peter names. Votes: 0

In time they could not even fly after their hats. Want of practice, they called it; but what it really meant was that they no longer believed. Votes: 0

There could not have been a lovelier sight; but there was none to see it except a little boy who was staring in at the window. He had ecstasies innumerable that other children can never know; but he was looking through the window at the one joy from which he must be for ever barred. Votes: 0

And so when Mrs. Darling went back to the night-nursery to see if her husband was asleep, all the beds were occupied. The children waited for her cry of joy, but it did not come. She saw them, but she did not believe they were there. You see, she saw them in their beds so often in her dreams that she thought this was just the dream hanging around her still. Votes: 0

She's awfully fond of Wendy,' he said to himself. He was angry with her now for not seeing why she could not have Wendy. The reason was so simple: 'I'm fond of her too. We can't both have her, lady. Votes: 0

Pan, who and what art thou?" he cried huskily. "I'm youth, I'm joy," Peter answered at a venture, "I'm a little bird that has broken out of the egg. Votes: 0

For long the two enemies looked at one another, Hook shuddering slightly, and Peter with the strange smile upon his face. "So, Pan," said Hook at last, "this is all your doing." "Ay, James Hook," came the stern answer, "it is all my doing." "Proud and insolent youth," said Hook, "prepare to meet thy doom." "Dark and sinister man,"For long the two enemies looked at one another, Hook shuddering slightly, and Peter with the strange smile upon his face. "Dark and sinister man," Peter answered, "have at thee. Votes: 0

Boy, why are you crying? Votes: 0

..children know such a lot now, they soon don't believe in fairies, and every time a child says, 'I don't believe in fairies,' there is a fairy somewhere that falls down dead. Votes: 0

If growing up means it would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree, I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up! Not me! Votes: 0

The door', replied Maimie, 'will always, always be open, and mother will always be waiting at it for me. Votes: 0

...and thus it will go on, so long as children are gay and innocent and heartless. Votes: 0

Never is an awfully long time. Votes: 0

Will they reach the nursery in time? If so, how delightful for them, and we shall all breathe a sigh of relief, but there will be no story. On the other hand, if they are not in time, I solemnly promise that it will all come right in the end. Votes: 0

When she expressed a doubtful hope that Tinker Bell would be glad to see her, he said, "˜Who is Tinker Bell?' "˜O Peter,' she said, shocked; but even when she explained he could not remember. "˜There are such a lot of them,' he said. "˜I expect she is no more.' I expect he was right, for fairies don't live long, but they are so little that a short time seems a good while to them. Votes: 0

Oh, the cleverness of me! Votes: 0

He was never more sinister than when he was most polite... Votes: 0

What is afraid?' asked Peter longingly. He thought it must be some splendid thing. 'I do wish you would teach me how to be afraid, Maimie,' he said. Votes: 0

All children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs Darling put her hand to her heart and cried, "˜Oh, why can't you remain like this for ever!' This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up. You always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end. Votes: 0

They have long lost count of the days, but always if they want to do anything special they say this is saturday night, and then they do it. Votes: 0

Of course the Neverlands vary a good deal. John's, for instance, had a lagoon with flamingos flying over it at which John was shooting, while Michael, who was very small, had a flamingo with lagoons flying over it. John lived in a boat turned upside down on the sands, Michael in a wigwam, Wendy in a house of leaves deftly sewn together. John had no friends, Michael had friends at night, Wendy had a pet wolf forsaken by its parents... Votes: 0

Odd things happen to all of us on our way through life without our noticing for a time that they have happened. Votes: 0

Fairies don't live long, but they are so little that a short time seems a good while to them Votes: 0

The fairies, as their custom, clapped their hands with delight over their cleverness, and they were so madly in love with the little house that they could not bear to think they had finished it. Votes: 0

He was a poet; and they are never exactly grown-up. Votes: 0

She adored all beautiful things in their every curve and fragrance, so that they became part of her. Day by day, she gathered beauty; had she had no heart (she who was the bosom of womanhood) her thoughts would still have been as lilies, because the good is the beautiful. Votes: 0

Next moment he was standing erect on the rock again, with that smile on his face and a drum beating within him. It was saying, "To die will be an awfully big adventure. Votes: 0

Peter was not with them for the moment, and they felt rather lonely up there by themselves. He could go so much faster than they that he would suddenly shoot out of sight, to have some adventure in which they had no share. He would come down laughing over something fearfully funny he had been saying to a star, but he had already forgotten what it was, or he would come up with mermaid scales still sticking to him, and yet not be able to to say for certain what had been happening. It was really rather irritating to children who had never seen a mermaid. Votes: 0

I don't want to go to school and learn solemn things. Votes: 0

Take care, lest an adventure is now offered you, which, if accepted, will plunge you in deepest woe. Votes: 0

She also said she would give him a kiss if he liked, but Peter did not know what she meant, and he held out his hand expectantly. Votes: 0

Peter was not quite like other boys; but he was afraid at last. A tremour ran through him, like a shudder passing over the sea; but on the sea one shudder follows another till there are hundreds of them, and Peter felt just the one. Next moment he was standing erect on the rock again, with that smile on his face and a drum beating within him. It was saying, "To die will be an awfully big adventure. Votes: 0

Next year he did not come for her. She waited in a new frock because the old one simply would not meet, but he never came. "Perhaps he is ill," Michael said. "You know he is never ill." Michael came close to her and whispered, with a shiver, "Perhaps there is no such person, Wendy!" and then Wendy would have cried if Michael had not been crying. Votes: 0

Young boys should never be sent to bed. They always wake up a day older. Votes: 0

Our life is a book to which we add daily, until suddenly we are finished, and then the manuscript is burned. Votes: 0

Nobody really wants us. So let us watch and say jaggy things, in the hope that some of them will hurt. Votes: 0

David tells me that fairies never say 'We feel happy': what they say is, 'We feel dancey'. Votes: 0

But where do you live mostly now?" With the lost boys." Who are they?" They are the children who fall out of their perambulators when the nurse is looking the other way. If they are not claimed in seven days they are sent far away to the Neverland to defray expanses. I'm captain." What fun it must be!" Yes," said cunning Peter, "but we are rather lonely. You see we have no female companionship." Are none of the others girls?" Oh no; girls, you know, are much too clever to fall out of their prams. Votes: 0

Of all the delectable islands the Neverland is the snuggest and most compact, not large and sprawly, you know, with tedious distances between one adventure and another, but nicely crammed. When you play at it by day with the chairs and table-cloth, it is not in the least alarming, but in the two minutes before you go to sleep it becomes very nearly real. That is why there are night-lights. Votes: 0

There are, I dare say, many lovers who would never have been drawn to each other had they met for the first time, as, say, they met the second time. Votes: 0

Them that has china plates themsel's is the maist careful not to break the china plates of others Votes: 0

We have a right to know the truth; no right to ask anything else from God, but the right to know that. Votes: 0

Always be a littler kinder than necessary. Votes: 0

If I were younger, I'd know more. Votes: 0

Every man who is high up likes to think he has done it all himself; and the wife smiles, and lets it go at that. It's our only joke. Every woman knows that. Votes: 0

One's religion is whatever he is most interested in. Votes: 0

But the years came and went without bringing the careless boy; and when they met again Wendy was a married woman, and Peter was no more to her than a little dust in the box in which she had kept her toys. Votes: 0

Wise children always choose a mother who was a shocking flirt in her maiden days, and so had several offers before she accepted their fortunate papa. Votes: 0

"Ž"She was not a little girl heart-broken about him; she was a grown woman smiling at it all, but they were wet smiles. Votes: 0

After a time he fell asleep, and some unsteady fairies had to climb over him on their way home from an orgy. Votes: 0

Every time you say you don't believe in fairies, a fairy dies. Votes: 0

Forever is a very long time Peter Votes: 0

The difference between him and the other boys at such a time was that they knew it was make-believe, while to hime make-believe and true were exactly the same thing. This sometimes troubled them, as when they had to make-believe that they had had their dinners. Votes: 0

Love, it is said, is blind, but love is not blind. It is an extra eye, which shows us what is most worthy of regard. To see the best is to see most clearly, and it is the lover's privilege. Votes: 0

I do loathe explanations. Votes: 0

Anything is possible if you wish hard enough. Votes: 0

A loving wife is better than making 50 in cricket, or even 99, beyond that I will not go. Votes: 0

Forget not your past, for in the future it may help you grow Votes: 0

The man of science appears to be the only man who has something to say just now, and the only man who does not know how to say it. Votes: 0

Mrs. Darling: There are many different kinds of bravery. There's the bravery of thinking of others before one's self. Now, your father has never brandished a sword nor fired a pistol, thank heavens. But he has made many sacrifices for his family, and put away many dreams. Michael: Where did he put them? Mrs. Darling: He put them in a drawer. And sometimes, late at night, we take them out and admire them. But it gets harder and harder to close the drawer... He does. And that is why he is brave. Votes: 0

I think it's perfectly lovely the way you talk about girls... Votes: 0

When ladies used to come to me in dreams, I said, 'Pretty mother, pretty mother.' But when at last she really came, I shot her. Votes: 0