J.M. Barrie Quotes & Sayings
Enjoy the top 100 famous quotes, sayings and quotations by J.M. Barrie.
Famous Quotes By J.M. Barrie
You need not be sorry for her. She was one of the kind that likes to grow up. In the end she grew up of her own free will a day quicker than the other girls. — J.M. Barrie
The door', replied Maimie, 'will always, always be open, and mother will always be waiting at it for me. — J.M. Barrie
For long I could not close my ears that night: I lay listening, I knew not what for. A scare was on me that made me dislike the dark, — J.M. Barrie
He looked at her uncomfortably; blinking, you know, like one not sure whether he was awake or asleep. — J.M. Barrie
Forget them, Wendy. Forget them all. Come with me where you'll never, never have to worry about grown up things again.
Never is an awfully long time. — J.M. Barrie
Let no one who loves be called altogether unhappy. Even love unreturned has its rainbow. — J.M. Barrie
Peter was not quite like other boys; but he was afraid at last. A tremor ran through him, like a shudder passing over the sea; but on the sea one shudder follows another till there are hundreds of them, and Peter felt just the one. Next moment he was standing erect on the rock again, with that smile on his face and a drum beating within him. It was saying, 'To die will be an awfully big adventure.' TO — J.M. Barrie
Thus, when you cry out, 'Greedy! Greedy!' to the bird that flies
away with the big crust, you know now that you ought not to do this, for he is very likely taking it to Peter
Pan. — J.M. Barrie
they gave him power to fly was this: They all tickled him on the shoulder, and soon he felt a funny itching in that part and then up he rose higher and higher and flew away out of the Gardens and over the house-tops. It — J.M. Barrie
There are many different kinds of bravery. There's the bravery of thinking of others before one's self. Now, your father has never brandished a sword nor fired a pistol, thank heavens. But he has made many sacrifices for his family, and put away many dreams.
Michael: Where did he put them?
Mrs. Darling: He put them in a drawer. And sometimes, late at night, we take them out and admire them. But it gets harder and harder to close the drawer ... He does. And that is why he is brave. — J.M. Barrie
And so when Mrs. Darling went back to the night-nursery to see if her husband was asleep, all the beds were occupied. The children waited for her cry of joy, but it did not come. She saw them, but she did not believe they were there. You see, she saw them in their beds so often in her dreams that she thought this was just the dream hanging around her still. — J.M. Barrie
Some disquieting confessions must be made in printing at last the play of Peter Pan; among them this, that I have no recollection of having written it. — J.M. Barrie
Stars are beautiful, but they must not take an active part in anything, they must just look on forever. It is a punishment put on them for something they did so long ago that no star now knows what it was. — J.M. Barrie
That fiend! Mr. Darling would cry, and Nana's bark was the echo of it, but Mrs. Darling never upbraided Peter; there was something in the right-hand corner of her mouth that wanted her not to call Peter names. — J.M. Barrie
Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough. You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it. — J.M. Barrie
It was like an examination paper that asks grammar, when what you want to be asked is Kings of England. — J.M. Barrie
It's all very well to say you are waiting; so am I waiting.' 'Father's a cowardy custard.' 'So are you a cowardy custard.' 'I'm not frightened.' 'Neither am I frightened.' 'Well, then, take it.' 'Well, then, you take it. — J.M. Barrie
He was so fond of her, he felt he could not live without her. "She will forget her mother in time, and be happy with me," he kept saying to himself, — J.M. Barrie
They will find the cake and they will gobble it up, because, having no mother, they don't know how dangerous 'tis to eat rich damp cake. — J.M. Barrie
He thought of hopping off in a comic sort of way till he was out of sight of her, and then never going near the spot any more. — J.M. Barrie
POLICEMAN. Good luck. (She finds it easiest just to nod in reply) I wish I was a Prince. — J.M. Barrie
For, to a child, the oddest of things, and the most richly coloured picture-book, is that his mother was once a child also. — J.M. Barrie
Don't forget to speak scornfully of the Victorian Age; there will be time for meekness when you try to better it. Very soon you will be Victorian or that sort of thing yourselves; next session probably, when the freshman come up. — J.M. Barrie
All you need is Faith, Trust and a little Pixie Dust — J.M. Barrie
Of course the Neverlands vary a good deal — J.M. Barrie
I taught you to fight and to fly. What more could there be? — J.M. Barrie
Do you know," Peter asked, "why swallows build in the eaves of houses? It is to listen to the stories. — J.M. Barrie
She says she glories in being abandoned — J.M. Barrie
Second to the right, and straight on till morning.
That, Peter had told Wendy, was the way to the Neverland — J.M. Barrie
They were his dogs snapping at him, but, tragic figure though he had become, he scarcely heeded them. Against such fearful evidence it was not their belief in him that he needed, it was his own. He felt his ego slipping from him. — J.M. Barrie
He came back, and there was a greedy look in his eyes now which ought to have alarmed her, but did not. 'Oh, — J.M. Barrie
It is not in doing what you like, but in liking what you do that is the secret of happiness. — J.M. Barrie
I'm youth, I'm joy!" Peter sang out. "I'm a little bird that has broken out of the egg."
This, of course, was nonsense; but it was proof to the unhappy Hook that Peter did not know at all who or what he was. This Hook though to be the best of good manners. — J.M. Barrie
I don't know if you have ever seem a map of a person's mind. Doctors sometimes draw maps of other parts of you, and your own map can become intensely interesting, but catch them trying to draw a map of a child's mind, which is not only confused, but keeps going round all the time. There are zigzag lines on it, just like your temperature on a card, and these are probably roads in the island; for the Neverland is always more or less and island, with astonishing splashes of colour here and there, and coral reefs and rakish-looking craft in the offing, and savages and lonely lairs, and gnomes who are mostly tailors, and caves through which a river runs, and princes with six elder brothers, and a hut fast going to decay, and one very small old lady with a hooked nose. — J.M. Barrie
Love, it is said, is blind, but love is not blind. It is an extra eye, which shows us what is most worthy of regard. To see the best is to see most clearly, and it is the lover's privilege. — J.M. Barrie
Wendy came first, then John, then Michael. — J.M. Barrie
I can't come,' she said apologetically, 'I have forgotten how to fly.'
'I'll soon teach you again.'
'O Peter, don't waste the fairy dust on me. — J.M. Barrie
John and Michael raced, Michael getting a start. — J.M. Barrie
He decided to appeal to the fairies for enlightenment. They are reputed
to know a good deal. — J.M. Barrie
All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust. — J.M. Barrie
Off we skip like the most heartless things in the world, which is what children are, but so attractive; and we have an entirely selfish time, and then when we have need of special attention we nobly return for it, confident that we shall be rewarded instead of smacked. — J.M. Barrie
The most haunting time at which to see them is at the turn of the moon, when they utter strange wailing cries; but the lagoon is dangerous for mortals — J.M. Barrie
None of them knew. Perhaps it was best not to know. Their ignorance gave them one more glad hour; and as it was to be their last hour on the island, let us rejoice that there were sixty glad minutes in it. They sang and danced in their night-gowns. Such a deliciously creepy song it was, in which they pretended to be frightened at their own shadows, little witting that so soon shadows would close in upon them, from whom they would shrink in real fear. So uproariously gay was the dance, and how they buffeted each other on the bed and out of it! It was a pillow fight rather than a dance, and when it was finished, the pillows insisted on one bout more, like partners who know that they may never meet again. The stories they told, before it was time for Wendy's good-night story! Even Slightly tried to tell a story that night, but the beginning was so fearfully dull that it appalled not only the others but himself, and he said happily: — J.M. Barrie
We were having another look among the bushes for David's lost worsted ball, and instead of the ball we found a lovely nest made of the worsted, and containing four eggs, with scratches on them very like David's handwriting, so we think they must have been the mother's love-letters to the little ones inside. — J.M. Barrie
No, no," Mr. Darling always said, "I am responsible for it all. I, George Darling, did it. MEA CULPA, MEA CULPA."
He had had a classical education. — J.M. Barrie
Oh, you mysterious girls, when you are fifty-two we shall find you out; you must come into the open then. If the mouth has fallen sourly yours the blame: all the meanness your youth concealed have been gathering in your face. But the pretty thoughts and sweet ways and dear, forgotten kindnesses linger there also, to bloom in your twilight like evening primroses. — J.M. Barrie
As for their houses, it is no use looking for them, because they are the exact opposite of our houses. You can see our houses by day but you can't see them by dark. Well, you can see their houses by dark, but you can't see them by day, for they are the colour of night, and I never heard of anyone yet who could see night in the daytime. This does not mean that they are black, for night has its colours just as day has, but ever so much brighter. Their blues and reds and greens are like ours with a light behind them. The palace is entirely built of many-coloured glasses, and is quite the loveliest of all royal residences, — J.M. Barrie
Temper is a weapon that we hold by the blade. — J.M. Barrie
Tink was not all bad: or, rather, she was all bad just now, but, on the other hand, sometimes she was all good. Fairies have to be one thing or the other, because being so small they unfortunately have room for one feeling only at a time. They are, however, allowed to change, only it must be a complete change. — J.M. Barrie
It is very well to be able to write a book, but can you waggle your ears? — J.M. Barrie
If you wish it.
Slightly: If you wish it?
Peter: IF YOU WISH IT. — J.M. Barrie
All the boys were grown up and done for by this time; so it is scarcely worth while saying anything more about them. You may see the twins and Nibs and Curly any day going to an office, each carrying a little bag and an umbrella. Michael is an engine driver. Slightly married a lady of title, and so he became a lord. You see that judge in a wig coming out at the iron door? That used to be Tootles. The bearded man who doesn't know any story to tell his children was once John. — J.M. Barrie
Even though you want to try to, never grow up — J.M. Barrie
Yo ho, yo ho, the pirate life, The flag o' skull and bones, A merry hour, a hempen rope, And hey for Davy Jones.' At — J.M. Barrie
James Hook, thou not wholly unheroic figure, farewell. For we have come to his last moment. — J.M. Barrie
At first Mrs. Darling did not know, but after thinking back into her childhood she just remembered a Peter Pan who was said to live with the fairies. There were odd stories about him, as that when children died he went part of the way with them, so that they should not be frightened. — J.M. Barrie
Good form without knowing it is the best form of all. — J.M. Barrie
Would you like an adventure now, or would like to have your tea first? — J.M. Barrie
When you were a bird you knew the fairies pretty well, and you remember a good deal about them in your babyhood, which it is a great pity you can't write down, for gradually you forget, and I have heard of children who declared that they had never once seen a fairy. — J.M. Barrie
If you cannot teach me to fly, teach me to sing. — J.M. Barrie
You must see for yourselves that it will be difficult to follow Peter Pan's adventures unless you are familiar with the Kensington Gardens. — J.M. Barrie
Courage is the thing. All goes if courage goes.
[The Rectorial Address Delivered by James M. Barrie at St. Andrew's University May 3, 1922, to the Red Gowns of St. Andrews, Canada, 1922] — J.M. Barrie
This is absurd. It's just a dog.
Just a dog? *Just*?
[to Porthos]
J.M. Barrie: Porthos, don't listen!
[to Peter]
J.M. Barrie: Porthos dreams of being a bear, and you want to shatter those dreams by saying he's *just* a dog? What a horrible candle-snuffing word. That's like saying, "He can't climb that mountain, he's just a man", or "That's not a diamond, it's just a rock." Just. — J.M. Barrie
Peter,' she asked, trying to speak firmly, 'what are your exact feelings for me?'
Those of a devoted son, Wendy.'
I thought so,' she said, and went and sat by herself at the extreme end of the room.
You are so queer,' he said, frankly puzzled, 'and Tiger Lily is just the same. There is something she wants to be to me, but she says it is not my mother.'
No, indeed, it is not,' Wendy replied with frightful emphasis. — J.M. Barrie
And thus it will go on, so long as children are gay and innocent and heartless. — J.M. Barrie
They knew in what they called their hearts that one can get on quite well without a mother, and that it is only the mothers who think you can't. — J.M. Barrie
I forget them after I kill them,' he replied carelessly. When — J.M. Barrie
David tells me that fairies never say 'We feel happy': what they say is, 'We feel dancey'. — J.M. Barrie
Feeling that Peter was on his way back, the Neverland had again woke into life. We ought to use the pluperfect and say wakened, but woke is better and was always used by Peter. — J.M. Barrie
All children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs Darling put her hand to her heart and cried, 'Oh, why can't you remain like this for ever!' This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up. You always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end. — J.M. Barrie
The boys on the island vary, of course, in numbers, according as they get killed and so on; and when they seem to be growing up, which is against the rules, Peter thins them out; but at this time there were six of them, counting the twins as two. Let us pretend to lie here among the sugar-cane and watch them as they steal by in single file, each with his hand on his dagger. — J.M. Barrie
Thus did the terrified three learn the difference between an island of make-believe and the same island come true. — J.M. Barrie
Better for Hook,' he cried, 'if he had had less ambition.' It was in his darkest hours only that he referred to himself in the third person. 'No — J.M. Barrie
Wendy, Wendy, when you are sleeping in your silly bed you might be flying about with me saying funny things to the stars. — J.M. Barrie
Second to the right,' said Peter, 'and then straight on till morning.' 'What — J.M. Barrie
So with occasional tiffs, but on the whole rollicking, they drew near the Neverland; for after many moons they did reach it, and, what is more, they had been going pretty straight all the time, not perhaps so much owing to the guidance of Peter or Tink as because the sland was out looking for them. It is only thus that anyone may sight those magic shores. — J.M. Barrie
You won't forget me, Peter, will you, before spring-cleaning time comes?
Of course Peter promised, and then he flew away. He took Mrs. Darling's kiss with him. The kiss that had been for no one else Peter took quite easily. Funny. But she seemd satisfied. — J.M. Barrie
This is a difficult question, because it is quite impossible to say how time does wear on in the Neverland, where it is calculated by moons and suns, and there are ever so many more of them than on the mainland. — J.M. Barrie
A strange smile was playing about his face, and Wendy saw it and shuddered. While that smile was on his face no one dared address him; all they could do was to stand ready to obey. — J.M. Barrie
She was not a little girl heart-broken about him; she was a grown woman smiling at it all, but they were wet smiles. — J.M. Barrie
Shoot the Wendybird! — J.M. Barrie
It is frightfully difficult to know much about the fairies, and almost the only thing for certain is that there are fairies wherever there are children. — J.M. Barrie
Tinker Bell exquisitely gowned in a skeleton leaf, cut low and square, through which her figure could be seen to the best advantage. — J.M. Barrie
She also said she would give him a kiss if he liked, but Peter did not know what she meant, and he held out his hand expectantly. — J.M. Barrie
There could not have been a lovelier sight; but there was none to see it except a little boy who was staring in at the window. He had ecstasies innumerable that other children can never know; but he was looking through the window at the one joy from which he must be for ever barred. — J.M. Barrie
Do you want an adventure now, or would you like to have your tea first? — J.M. Barrie
The fairies, as their custom, clapped their hands with delight over their cleverness, and they were so madly in love with the little house that they could not bear to think they had finished it. — J.M. Barrie
Asleep to rummage in their minds — J.M. Barrie
The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings. — J.M. Barrie
He swore this terrible oath: Hook or me this time. — J.M. Barrie
A moment after the fairy's entrance the window was blown open by the breathing of the little stars, and Peter dropped in. — J.M. Barrie
Even by day they hung about, smoking the pipe of peace, and looking almost as if they wanted tit-bits to eat. They — J.M. Barrie
Don't cry, pretty human, don't cry," and then she turned round and saw a beautiful little naked boy regarding her wistfully. She knew at once that he must be Peter Pan. — J.M. Barrie