Although Alan Alexander Milne (1882–1956) created Winnie-the-Pooh as a children’s book character, this cartoon bear’s thoughts can sometimes speak to adults with a philosophical depth. This is probably due largely to their simplicity, which is sometimes so hard to find in a rushed grown-up life.
Milne’s 132nd birthday was on Saturday. In honor of the always-hungry bear and his friends, here’s some inspiration gleaned from their timeless thoughts about friendship, courage, and the other challenges of life in Ashdown Forest.
“A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.“
– Winnie-the-Pooh
“‘What day is it?’
‘It’s today,’ squeaked Piglet.
‘My favorite day,’ said Pooh.”
“A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.”
– Winnie-the-Pooh
“Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?”
– 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
“If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart, I’ll always be with you.“
– Winnie-the-Pooh
“‘I might have known,’ said Eeyore. ‘After all, one can’t complain. I have my friends. Somebody spoke to me only yesterday. And was it last week or the week before that Rabbit bumped into me and said “Bother!” The social round. Always something going on.’”
– Winnie-the-Pooh
Drawing of Winnie-the-Pooh and his friend, Piglet, inspired by E. H. Shepard’s original illustrations. (Tina Tatarková/Epoch Times)
“‘I don’t see much sense in that,’ said Rabbit. ‘No,’ said Pooh humbly, ‘there isn’t. But there was going to be when I began it. It’s just that something happened to it along the way.’”
“‘Rabbit’s clever,’ said Pooh thoughtfully.
‘Yes,’ said Piglet, ‘Rabbit’s clever.’
‘And he has brain.’
‘Yes,’ said Piglet, ‘Rabbit has brain.’
There was a long silence.
‘I suppose,’ said Pooh, ‘that that’s why he never understands anything.’”
“Poetry and hums aren’t things which you get, they’re things which get you. And all you can do is go where they can find you.”
– Winnie-the-Pooh
“Love is taking a few steps backward maybe even more… to give way to the happiness of the person you love.”
– Winnie-the-Pooh
“‘When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,’ said Piglet at last, ‘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.”
‘How do you spell “love”?’ - Piglet
‘You don’t spell it...you feel it.’ - Pooh”
If you want more Pooh, have a listen to the 2011 “Winnie-the-Pooh” movie theme song by Zooey Deschanel.
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