Tove Jansson Quotes
It is simply this: do not tire, never lose interest, never grow indifferent—lose your invaluable curiosity and you let yourself die. It's as simple as that.
A person can find anything if he takes the time, that is, if he can afford to look. And while he's looking, he's free, and he finds things he never expected.
It’s only the sea,’ said Moomintroll. ‘Every wave that dies on the beach sings a little song to a shell. But you mustn’t go inside because it’s a labyrinth and you may never come out again.
There are those who stay at home and those who go away, and it has always been so. Everyone can choose for himself, but he must choose while there is still time and never change his mind.
The thing about God, she thought, is that He usually does help, but not until you've made an effort on your own.
...now and then a giggling trail of mermaids appeared in our wake. We fed them oatmeal.
He was the owner of the moonlight on the ground, he fell in love with the most beautiful of the trees, he made wreaths of leaves and strung them around his neck.
Most of the people are homesick anyway, and a little lonely, and they hide themselves in their hair and are turned into flowers.
Smell is important. It reminds a person of all the things he's been through; it is a sheath of memories and security.
Everyone must imagine his own snakes because no one else's snakes can ever be as awful.
Some people just shouldn't be disturbed in their inclinations, whether large or small. A reminder can instantly turn enthusiasm into aversion and spoil everything.
It’s strange,” Moominmamma thought. “Strange that people can be sad, and even angry because life is too easy. But that’s the way it is, I suppose. The only thing to do is to start life afresh.
I mean, anyone can let Danger out but the really clever thing is finding somewhere for it to go afterwards.
I need to write down my observations. Even the tiniest ones; they're the most important.
A very long time ago, Grandmother had wanted to tell about all the things they did, but no one had bothered to ask. And now she had lost the urge.
Dogs are mute and obedient, but they have watched us and know us and can smell how pitiful we are.
Someone who eats pancakes and jam can't be so awfully dangerous. You can talk to him.
The hemulen woke up slowly and recognised himself and wished he had been someone he didn't know.
They were always doing something. Quietly, without interruption, and with great concentration, they carried on with the hundred-and-one small things that made up their world.
And all you can do is just read," she said. She raised her voice an screamed, "You just read and read and read!" Then she threw herself down on the table and wept.
But he thought all the strange words were beautiful, and he had never had a book of his own before.
It is still summer, but the summer is no longer alive. It has come to a standstill; nothing withers, and fall is not ready to begin. There are no stars yet, just darkness.
One ought to have the right to have a secret and to spring it as a surprise. But if you live inside a family you have neither.
It looks rather ordinary," said the Snork. "Unless you consider that a top hat is always somewhat extraordinary, of course.
I'm not sure I would have ever started to draw, let alone write, if my childhood hadn't been so happy. It was a mixture of comfort and adventure. An excellent mixture!
I love borders. August is the border between summer and autumn; it is the most beautiful month I know.
Why are you in such a rush?" Sophia asked, and her grandmother answered that it was a good idea to do things before you forgot that they had to be done.
We sat talking on a rock. The air was filled with the tang of sea-weed and of something else that could only have been the ocean smell. I felt so happy that I wasn't even afraid it wouldn't last.
And all you can do is just read, " she said. She raised her voice an screamed, "You just read and read and read!" Then she threw herself down on the table and wept.