Quotes from book
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is an American children's novel written by author L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W.W. Denslow, originally published by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago on May 17, 1900. It has since seen several reprints, most often under the title The Wizard of Oz, which is the title of the popular 1902 Broadway musical adaptation as well as the iconic 1939 live-action film.


L. Frank Baum photo

“The road to the City of Emeralds is paved with yellow brick," said the Witch, "so you cannot miss it.”

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)
Context: "The road to the City of Emeralds is paved with yellow brick," said the Witch, "so you cannot miss it. When you get to Oz do not be afraid of him, but tell your story and ask him to help you".

L. Frank Baum photo
L. Frank Baum photo

“True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid…”

Source: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)
Context: There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.

L. Frank Baum photo

“There is no place like home.”

Source: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

L. Frank Baum photo
L. Frank Baum photo
L. Frank Baum photo
L. Frank Baum photo

“I shall take the heart. For brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.”

Source: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)
Context: "All the same," said the Scarecrow, "I shall ask for brains instead of a heart; for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one."
"I shall take the heart," returned the Tin Woodman; "for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world."

L. Frank Baum photo

“My people have been wearing green glasses on their eyes for so long that most of them think this really is an Emerald City.”

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)
Source: Oz: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

L. Frank Baum photo
L. Frank Baum photo
L. Frank Baum photo

“If your heads were stuffed with straw, like mine, you would probably all live in the beautiful places, and then Kansas would have no people at all. It is fortunate for Kansas that you have brains.”

Source: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)
Context: The Scarecrow listened carefully, and said, "I cannot understand why you should wish to leave this beautiful country and go back to the dry, gray place you call Kansas."
"That is because you have no brains" answered the girl. "No matter how dreary and gray our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home."
The Scarecrow sighed.
"Of course I cannot understand it," he said. "If your heads were stuffed with straw, like mine, you would probably all live in the beautiful places, and then Kansas would have no people at all. It is fortunate for Kansas that you have brains."

L. Frank Baum photo
L. Frank Baum photo
L. Frank Baum photo
L. Frank Baum photo
L. Frank Baum photo
L. Frank Baum photo

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