Quotes from Hans Christian Andersen

My life will be the best illustration of all my work.

Never had she danced so beautifully; the sharp knives cut her feet, but she did not feel it, for the pain in her heart was far greater.

Does all the beauty of the world stop when you die?" "No," said the Old Oak; "it will last much longer - longer than I can even think of." "Well, then," said the little May-fly, "we have the same time to live; only we reckon differently.

I know what you want. It is very stupid of you, but you shall have your way, and it will bring you to sorrow, my pretty princess. - The sea witch.

Brave soldier, never fear. Even though your death is near.

But shouldn't all of us on earth give the best we have to others and offer whatever is in our power?

His own image; no longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan. To be born in a duck's nest, in a farmyard, is of no consequence to a bird, if it is hatched from a swan's egg.

I only appear to be dead.

They could see she was a real Princess and no question about it, now that she had felt one pea all the way through twenty mattresses and twenty more feather beds. Nobody but a Princess could be so delicate.

Some are created for beauty, and some for use; and there are some which one can do without altogether.

Brave soldier, never fear. Even though your death is near.

Every man's life is a fairy tale written by God's fingers.