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100 Famous Quotes By Roald Dahl That Will Remind You Of Fairies And Monsters

Famous As: One of the World's Greatest Authors
Born On: September 13, 1916
Died On: November 23, 1990
Born In: Llandaff, Cardiff, Wales
Died At Age: 74
Roald Dahl was a prolific Welsh author, poet, short-story, and children’s book writer whose books have achieved global sales of over 250 million copies. Roald is best-known for his works, such as ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’‘The Witches,’ ‘Matilda,’‘James and the Giant Peach,’‘Fantastic Fox’ etc. His writings and stories are known for unanticipated conclusions. In 1942, Roald wrote his maiden children’s story ‘The Gremlins’ for Walt Disney, which received a lukewarm response from readers. He made a major breakthrough as children’s book author in 1961 with his best-selling book ‘James and the Giant Peach’, which received huge commercial and critical appreciation. He received a number of awards and accolades for his writings, thoughts and works including, 'British Book Awards,' and 'World Fantasy Award for Life Achivements.' In his writing career spanning several decades, Roald wrote nine short-story collections, 19 children’s books, as well as several movie and television scripts. His writings and works feature the kindhearted and an underlying warm sentiment. Following is a collection of Roald Dahl’s most famous quotes and sayings which have been excerpted from his writings, books, stories and thoughts. We bring to you a collection of sayings and quotes by Roald Dahl that will surely motivate you and make you travel back in time.
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Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.

Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.

Roald Dahl
And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.

And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.

Roald Dahl
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books.

So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install A lovely bookshelf on the wall. Then fill the shelves with lots of books.

Roald Dahl
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install, a lovely bookshelf on the wall.

So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install, a lovely bookshelf on the wall.

Roald Dahl
Don't gobblefunk around with words.

Don't gobblefunk around with words.

Roald Dahl
It doesn't matter who you are or what you look like, so long as somebody loves you.

It doesn't matter who you are or what you look like, so long as somebody loves you.

Roald Dahl
A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men.

A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men.

Roald Dahl
We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.

We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.

Roald Dahl
Matilda said,

Matilda said, "Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it's unbelievable...

Roald Dahl
Grown ups are complicated creatures, full of quirks and secrets.

Grown ups are complicated creatures, full of quirks and secrets.

Roald Dahl
If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.

If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.

Roald Dahl
Do you know what breakfast cereal is made of? It's made of all those little curly wooden shavings you find in pencil sharpeners!

Do you know what breakfast cereal is made of? It's made of all those little curly wooden shavings you find in pencil sharpeners!

Roald Dahl
A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul, and that, I am sure, is why he does it

A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul, and that, I am sure, is why he does it

Roald Dahl
I understand what you're saying, and your comments are valuable, but I'm gonna ignore your advice.

I understand what you're saying, and your comments are valuable, but I'm gonna ignore your advice.

Roald Dahl
I'm right and you're wrong, I'm big and you're small, and there's nothing you can do about it.

I'm right and you're wrong, I'm big and you're small, and there's nothing you can do about it.

Roald Dahl
Two rights don't equal a left.

Two rights don't equal a left.

Roald Dahl
Mr. Wonka:

Mr. Wonka: "Don’t forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he wanted." Charlie Bucket: "What happened?" Mr. Wonka: "He lived happily ever after.

Roald Dahl
We have so much time and so little to do. Strike that, reverse it.

We have so much time and so little to do. Strike that, reverse it.

Roald Dahl
Two hours of writing fiction leaves this writer completely drained. For those two hours he has been in a different place with totally different people.

Two hours of writing fiction leaves this writer completely drained. For those two hours he has been in a different place with totally different people.

Roald Dahl
It's a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful.

It's a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think that he or she is wonderful.

Roald Dahl
You should never, never doubt something that no one is sure of.

You should never, never doubt something that no one is sure of.

Roald Dahl
I'm wondering what to read next.

I'm wondering what to read next." Matilda said. "I've finished all the children's books.

Roald Dahl
A little magic can take you a long way.

A little magic can take you a long way.

Roald Dahl
Here it is,' Nigel said.
Mrs D, Mrs I, Mrs FFI, Mrs C, Mrs U, Mrs LTY. That spells difficulty.'
How perfectly ridiculous!' snorted Miss Trunchbull. 'Why are all these women married?

Here it is,' Nigel said. Mrs D, Mrs I, Mrs FFI, Mrs C, Mrs U, Mrs LTY. That spells difficulty.' How perfectly ridiculous!' snorted Miss Trunchbull. 'Why are all these women married?

Roald Dahl
You seemed so far away,

You seemed so far away," Miss Honey whispered, awestruck. "Oh, I was. I was flying past the stars on silver wings," Matilda said. "It was wonderful.

Roald Dahl
If you are good life is good.

If you are good life is good.

Roald Dahl
We all have our moments of brilliance and glory, and this was mine.

We all have our moments of brilliance and glory, and this was mine.

Roald Dahl
Life is more fun if you play games.

Life is more fun if you play games.

Roald Dahl
I've heard tell that what you imagine sometimes comes true.
-Grandpa Joe

I've heard tell that what you imagine sometimes comes true. -Grandpa Joe

Roald Dahl
Whipped cream isn't whipped cream at all if it hasnt been whipped with whips, just like poached eggs isn't poached eggs unless it's been stolen in the dead of the night.

Whipped cream isn't whipped cream at all if it hasnt been whipped with whips, just like poached eggs isn't poached eggs unless it's been stolen in the dead of the night.

Roald Dahl
I cannot for the life of me understand why small children take so long to grow up. I think they do it deliberately, just to annoy me.

I cannot for the life of me understand why small children take so long to grow up. I think they do it deliberately, just to annoy me.

Roald Dahl
I want an Oompa-Loompa!' screamed Veruca.

I want an Oompa-Loompa!' screamed Veruca.

Roald Dahl
Fiona has the same glacial beauty of an iceburg, but unlike the iceburg she has absolutely nothing below the surface.

Fiona has the same glacial beauty of an iceburg, but unlike the iceburg she has absolutely nothing below the surface.

Roald Dahl
Mr. Twit was a twit. He was born a twit. And, now at the age of sixty, he was a bigger twit than ever.

Mr. Twit was a twit. He was born a twit. And, now at the age of sixty, he was a bigger twit than ever.

Roald Dahl
What I mean and what I say is two different things,

What I mean and what I say is two different things," the BFG announced rather grandly.

Roald Dahl
Having power is not nearly as important as what you choose to do with it.

Having power is not nearly as important as what you choose to do with it.

Roald Dahl
All the reading she had done had given her a view of life that they had never seen.

All the reading she had done had given her a view of life that they had never seen.

Roald Dahl
Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.

Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.

Roald Dahl
When you grow up and have children of your own, do please remember something important: A stodgy parent is not fun at all! What a child wants - and DESERVES - is a parent who is SPARKY!

When you grow up and have children of your own, do please remember something important: A stodgy parent is not fun at all! What a child wants - and DESERVES - is a parent who is SPARKY!

Roald Dahl
I'd rather be fried alive and eaten by Mexicans.

I'd rather be fried alive and eaten by Mexicans.

Roald Dahl
A BOOK?! WHAT D'YOU WANNA FLAMING BOOK FOR?...WE'VE GOT A LOVELY TELLY WITH A 12-INCH SCREEN AND NOW YA WANNA BOOK!

A BOOK?! WHAT D'YOU WANNA FLAMING BOOK FOR?...WE'VE GOT A LOVELY TELLY WITH A 12-INCH SCREEN AND NOW YA WANNA BOOK!

Roald Dahl
Nowadays you can go anywhere in the world in a few hours, and nothing is fabulous any more.

Nowadays you can go anywhere in the world in a few hours, and nothing is fabulous any more.

Roald Dahl
But there was one other thing that the grown-ups also knew, and it was this: that however small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance is there. The chance had to be there.

But there was one other thing that the grown-ups also knew, and it was this: that however small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance is there. The chance had to be there.

Roald Dahl
Words,

Words," he said, "is oh such a twitch-tickling problem to me all my life.

Roald Dahl
There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination. Living there, you'll be free if you truly wish to be.

There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination. Living there, you'll be free if you truly wish to be.

Roald Dahl
There are no strangers in here, just friends you haven't met...

There are no strangers in here, just friends you haven't met...

Roald Dahl
I am the maker of music, the dreamer of dreams!

I am the maker of music, the dreamer of dreams!

Roald Dahl
And don’t worry about the bits you can’t understand. Sit back and allow the words to wash around you, like music.

And don’t worry about the bits you can’t understand. Sit back and allow the words to wash around you, like music.

Roald Dahl
My dear young fellow,' the Old-Green-Grasshopper said gently, 'there are a whole lot of things in this world of ours you haven't started wondering about yet.

My dear young fellow,' the Old-Green-Grasshopper said gently, 'there are a whole lot of things in this world of ours you haven't started wondering about yet.

Roald Dahl
All you do is to look / At a page in this book / Because that's where we always will be. / No book ever ends / When it's full of your friends / The Giraffe and the Pelly and me.

All you do is to look / At a page in this book / Because that's where we always will be. / No book ever ends / When it's full of your friends / The Giraffe and the Pelly and me.

Roald Dahl
If the Good Lord intended for us to walk, he wouldn't have invented rollar skates.

If the Good Lord intended for us to walk, he wouldn't have invented rollar skates.

Roald Dahl
When writing about oneself, one must strive to be truthful. Truth is more important than modesty.

When writing about oneself, one must strive to be truthful. Truth is more important than modesty.

Roald Dahl
An autobiography is a book a person writes about his own life and it is usually full of all sorts of boring details.

An autobiography is a book a person writes about his own life and it is usually full of all sorts of boring details.

Roald Dahl
Meanings is not important, said the BFG. I cannot be right all the time. Quite often I is left instead of right.

Meanings is not important, said the BFG. I cannot be right all the time. Quite often I is left instead of right.

Roald Dahl
Badger: The cuss you are.
Mr. Fox: The cuss am I? Are you cussing with me?

Badger: The cuss you are. Mr. Fox: The cuss am I? Are you cussing with me?

Roald Dahl
I think I have this thing where everybody has to think I'm the greatest.And if they aren't completely knocked out and dazzled and slightly intimidated by me, I don't feel good about myself.

I think I have this thing where everybody has to think I'm the greatest.And if they aren't completely knocked out and dazzled and slightly intimidated by me, I don't feel good about myself.

Roald Dahl
You ignorant little slug!

You ignorant little slug!" the Trunchbull bellowed. "You witless weed! You empty-headed hamster! You stupid glob of glue!

Roald Dahl
It's impossible to make your eyes twinkle if you aren't feeling twinkly yourself

It's impossible to make your eyes twinkle if you aren't feeling twinkly yourself

Roald Dahl
The matter with human beans,

The matter with human beans," the BFG went on, "is that they is absolutely refusing to believe in anything unless they is actually seeing it right in front of their own schnozzles.

Roald Dahl
Poor Earthworm,' the Ladybird said, whispering in James's ear. 'He loves to make everything into a disaster. He hates to be happy. He is only happy when he is gloomy.

Poor Earthworm,' the Ladybird said, whispering in James's ear. 'He loves to make everything into a disaster. He hates to be happy. He is only happy when he is gloomy.

Roald Dahl
Oh where, oh where had Snow White gone?
She'd found it easy, being pretty
To hitch a ride into the city.

Oh where, oh where had Snow White gone? She'd found it easy, being pretty To hitch a ride into the city.

Roald Dahl
The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives.

The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives.

Roald Dahl
The maid screamed.
The Queen gasped.
Sophie waved.

The maid screamed. The Queen gasped. Sophie waved.

Roald Dahl
I am only 8 years old, I told myself. No little boy of 8 has ever murdered anyone. It's not possible.

I am only 8 years old, I told myself. No little boy of 8 has ever murdered anyone. It's not possible.

Roald Dahl
The walls were wet and sticky, and peach juice was dripping from the ceiling. James opened his mouth and caught some of it on his tongue. It tasted delicious.

The walls were wet and sticky, and peach juice was dripping from the ceiling. James opened his mouth and caught some of it on his tongue. It tasted delicious.

Roald Dahl
There's nothin' you can get from a book that you can't get from a television fastah!

There's nothin' you can get from a book that you can't get from a television fastah!" -Harry Wormwood

Roald Dahl
We is in Dream Country,' the BFG said. 'This is where all dreams is beginning.

We is in Dream Country,' the BFG said. 'This is where all dreams is beginning.

Roald Dahl
Sometimes Matilda longed for a friend, someone like the kind, courageous people in her books.

Sometimes Matilda longed for a friend, someone like the kind, courageous people in her books.

Roald Dahl
Two wrongs don't make a right.

Two wrongs don't make a right.

Roald Dahl
Obscurity is never a virtue.

Obscurity is never a virtue.

Roald Dahl
Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it’s unbelievable.

Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it’s unbelievable.

Roald Dahl
The snozberries taste like snozberries!

The snozberries taste like snozberries!

Roald Dahl
EATABLE MARSHMALLOW PILLOWS 

LICKABLE WALLPAPER FOR NURSERIES 

HOT ICE CREAMS FOR COLD DAYS 

COWS THAT GIVE CHOCOLATE MILK 

FIZZY LIFTING DRINKS 

SQUARE SWEETS THAT LOOK ROUND

EATABLE MARSHMALLOW PILLOWS LICKABLE WALLPAPER FOR NURSERIES HOT ICE CREAMS FOR COLD DAYS COWS THAT GIVE CHOCOLATE MILK FIZZY LIFTING DRINKS SQUARE SWEETS THAT LOOK ROUND

Roald Dahl
I'm afraid men are not always quite as clever as they think they are. You will learn that when you get a bit older, my girl.

I'm afraid men are not always quite as clever as they think they are. You will learn that when you get a bit older, my girl.

Roald Dahl
Hooray!

Hooray!" said the Chief of the Army. "Let's blow everyone up! Bang-bang! Bang-bang!

Roald Dahl
You is getting nosier than a parker.

You is getting nosier than a parker.

Roald Dahl
Rainbow drops - suck them and you can spit in six different colours.

Rainbow drops - suck them and you can spit in six different colours.

Roald Dahl
However small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance was there.

However small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance was there.

Roald Dahl
I've always said to myself that if a little pocket calculator can do it why shouldn't I?

I've always said to myself that if a little pocket calculator can do it why shouldn't I?

Roald Dahl
If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.

If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.

Roald Dahl
Perhaps it's chasing me. But I don't think it will ever catch me because I am moving fast.

Perhaps it's chasing me. But I don't think it will ever catch me because I am moving fast.

Roald Dahl
There is little point in teaching anything backwards. The whole object of life, Headmistress, is to go forwards.

There is little point in teaching anything backwards. The whole object of life, Headmistress, is to go forwards.

Roald Dahl
What a fortunate fellow I am, I kept telling myself. Nobody has ever had such a lovely time as this!

What a fortunate fellow I am, I kept telling myself. Nobody has ever had such a lovely time as this!

Roald Dahl
It is most unlikely. But--here comes the big

It is most unlikely. But--here comes the big "but"--not impossible.

Roald Dahl
We must hurry!’ said Mr. Wonka. ‘We have so much time and so little to do! No! Wait! Strike that! Reverse it!

We must hurry!’ said Mr. Wonka. ‘We have so much time and so little to do! No! Wait! Strike that! Reverse it!

Roald Dahl
Titchy little snapperwhippers like you should not be higgling around with an old sage and onions who is hundreds of years more than you.

Titchy little snapperwhippers like you should not be higgling around with an old sage and onions who is hundreds of years more than you.

Roald Dahl
My candle burns at both ends it will not last the night but arh my friends and oh my foes it gives a lovely light

My candle burns at both ends it will not last the night but arh my friends and oh my foes it gives a lovely light

Roald Dahl
Oh, my sainted aunt! Don't mention that disgusting stuff in front of me! Do you know what breakfast cereal is made of? It's made of all those little curly wooden shavings you find in pencil sharpeners!

Oh, my sainted aunt! Don't mention that disgusting stuff in front of me! Do you know what breakfast cereal is made of? It's made of all those little curly wooden shavings you find in pencil sharpeners!

Roald Dahl
What she needed was just one person, one wise and sympathetic grown-up who could help her.

What she needed was just one person, one wise and sympathetic grown-up who could help her.

Roald Dahl
... and when he put his mind to it, he could make his words coil themselves around and around the listener until they held her in some sort of a mild hypnotic spell.

... and when he put his mind to it, he could make his words coil themselves around and around the listener until they held her in some sort of a mild hypnotic spell.

Roald Dahl
Well not exactly,

Well not exactly," the father said."Nobody could do that. but it didn't take me long...

Roald Dahl
Let your love out

Let your love out

Roald Dahl
The secret of life', he said, 'is to become very very good at somethin' that's very very 'ard to do.

The secret of life', he said, 'is to become very very good at somethin' that's very very 'ard to do.

Roald Dahl
For me, the pleasure of writing comes with inventing stories.

For me, the pleasure of writing comes with inventing stories.

Roald Dahl
I like enthusiasts of any kind.

I like enthusiasts of any kind.

Roald Dahl
Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it’s unbelievable.

Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it’s unbelievable.

Roald Dahl
Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous...

Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous...

Roald Dahl
Give us strength, oh Lord, to let our children starve.

Give us strength, oh Lord, to let our children starve.

Roald Dahl
Lalalalalalallalalallalalalal have nothing to say

Lalalalalalallalalallalalalal have nothing to say

Roald Dahl
We've got a lovely telly with a twelve-inch screen and now you come asking for a book! You're getting spoiled, my girl!

We've got a lovely telly with a twelve-inch screen and now you come asking for a book! You're getting spoiled, my girl!

Roald Dahl