Laura Ingalls Wilder citations

“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”

“The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”

“Laura felt a warmth inside her. It was very small, but it was strong. It was steady, like a tiny light in the dark, and it burned very low but no winds could make it flicker because it would not give up.”

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.”

“Home is the nicest word there is.”

“There's no great loss without some small gain.”

“The only stupid thing about words is the spelling of them.”

“We who live in quiet places have the opportunity to become acquainted with ourselves, to think our own thoughts and live our own lives in a way that is not possible for those keeping up with the crowd.”

“She thought to herself, "This is now." She was glad that the cozy house, and Pa and Ma and the firelight and the music, were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago.”

“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat. In our mad rush for progress and modern improvements let's be sure we take along with us all the old-fashioned things worth while.”

“There is no comfort anywhere for anyone who dreads to go home.”

“Persons appear to us according to the light we throw upon them from our own minds. -Laura Ingalls Wilder, author (1867-1957)”

“Remember well, and bear in mind, a constant friend is hard to find.”

“The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies.”

“A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.”

“The trouble with organizing a thing is that pretty soon folks get to paying more attention to the organization than to what they're organized for.”

“It is a good idea sometimes to think of the importance and dignity of our every-day duties. It keeps them from being so tiresome; besides, others are apt take us at our own valuation.”

“We'd never get anything fixed to suit us if we waited for things to suit us before we started.”

“We had no choice. Sadness was a dangerous as panthers and bears. the wilderness needs your whole attention.”

“These times are too progressive. Everything has changed too fast. Railroads and telegraphs and kerosene and coal stoves -- they're good to have but the trouble is, folks get to depend on 'em.”

“This earthly life is a battle,' said Ma. 'If it isn't one thing to contend with, it's another. It always has been so, and it always will be. The sooner you make up your mind to that, the better off you are, and more thankful for your pleasures.”

“There is nothing wrong with God's plan that man should earn his bread by the sweat of his brow.”

“She heard pa shouting,"Jiminy crickets! It's raining fish-hooks and hammer handles!”

“Never bet your money on another man's game.”

“No rich man can walk through the eye of a needle.”

“These happy golden years are passing by, these happy golden years.”

“Now is now. It can never be a long time ago.”

“We are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.”