Quotes from James Whitcomb Riley

When I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck.

The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.

It is no use to grumble and complain; It's just as cheap and easy to rejoice; When God sorts out the weather and sends rain - Why, rain's my choice.

To make the world a friendly place one must show it a friendly face.

'Long about knee-deep in June,'Bout the time strawberries meltsOn the vine.

The ripest peach is highest on the tree.

An' all us other children, when the supper things is done,We set around the kitchen fire an' has the mostest funA-list'nin' to the witch-tales 'at Annie tells about,An' the Gobble-uns 'at gits youEf youDon'tWatchOut!

It is no use to grumble and complain; It's just as cheap and easy to rejoice; When God sorts out the weather and sends rain - Why, rain's my choice.

That old sweetheart of mine.

O, it sets my heart a-clickin' like the tickin' of a clock,When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

When you awaken some morning and hear that somebody or other has been discovered, you can put it down as a fact that he discovered himself years ago - since that time he has been toiling, working, and striving to make himself worthy of general discovery.

Oh! the old swimmin' hole! When I last saw the place,The scenes was all changed, like the change in my face.

The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come.

Continuous, unflagging effort, persistence and determination will win. Let not the man be discouraged who has these.

Long about knee-deep in June, 'Bout the time strewberries melts On the vine.

Who bides his time tastes the sweet Of honey in the saltiest tear; And though he fares with slowest feet Joy runs to meet him drawing near.

The anger of a person who is strong, can always bide its time.

I love the horse from hoof to head. From head to hoof and tail to mane. I love the horse as I have said - From head to hoof and back again.

The ripest peach is highest on the tree

When you awaken some morning and hear that somebody or other has been discovered, you can put it down as a fact that he discovered himself years ago - since that time he has been toiling, working, and striving to make himself worthy of general discovery.

Just a wee cot-the crickets chirr-love and the smiling face of her.

O, it sets my heart a clickin' like the tickin' of a clock, When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

And he shall reign a goodly king And sway his hand o'er every clime With peace writ on his signet ring, Who bides his time.

As one who cons at evening o'er an album all alone, And muses on the faces of the friends that he has known, So I turn the leaves of Fancy, till in shadowy design I find the smiling features of an old sweetheart of mine.