Roald Dahl’s Pearls of Wisdom for Living a Beautiful Life

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August, 2018
The timeless stories of Roald Dahl have delighted generations of children and their parents for decades. Over 100 years after his birth, his stories continue to inspire people of all ages and walks of life. From the vibrant characters to the marvellous stories, for many Roald Dahl is the world’s No.1 story teller.

In celebration of his birthday on 13th September, we pay tribute to the wisdom weaved into the works of a much-loved literary legend.

Here are our favourite quotes from the mouths of his cherished characters which offer a powerful sense of perspective.

On Self-confidence

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

Matilda

On Open-mindedness

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

The Minpins

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.

The BFG

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

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

On Living Life to The Full

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.

Matilda

On Being a Good Person

A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.

The Twits

If you are good life is good.

Matilda

On Being Curious

“Anyone can ask questions,” said Mr. Wonka. “It’s the answers that count.”

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

There are a whole lot of things in this world of ours you haven’t even started wondering about yet.

James and the Giant Peach

On Making Dreams Come True

Well, maybe it started that way. As a dream, but doesn’t everything. Those buildings. These lights. This whole city. Somebody had to dream about it first. And maybe that is what I did. I dreamed about coming here, but then I did it.

James and the Giant Peach

I’ve heard that what you imagine sometimes comes true.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

On Love

Let your love out.

The BFG

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

The Witches

On Limitless Possibilities

However small the chance might be of striking lucky, the chance is there. The chance had to be there.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

It is most unlikely. But – here comes the big “but” – not impossible.

The Witches

On Understanding

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

Matilda

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

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

On Reading Books

Oh, books, what books they used to know, Those children living long ago! 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.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

We would love to know what your favourite Roald Dahl read is! Who is your most loved character and why?  Share with us via our Facebook page or Instagram @greatbritishnanies. Fancy getting involved with Roald Dahl’s birthday celebrations? From the Dahlicious fancy dress fundraiser, to the birthday party pack there’s an abundance of fun materials to get the merrymaking started!

https://www.roalddahl.com/create-and-learn/join-in/roald-dahl-day

Enjoy, and be sure to tag us in your pictures!