Quotes from L. Frank Baum

In the civilized countries I believe there are no witches left, nor wizards, nor sorceresses, nor magicians ~ The Witch of the North

She said, You might become politicians. No! cried Beni, with sudden fierceness; we must not abandon our high calling. Bandits we have always been, and bandits we must remain!

They seemed happy and contented, though," remarked the Wizard, "and those who are contented have nothing to regret and nothing more to wish for.

You had the power all along, my dear.

This is the way to get ideas: never to let adverse circumstances discourage you, but to believe there is a way out of every difficulty, which may be found by earnest though.

You are both rich my friends ... And your riches are the only riches worth having, the riches of content.

Like all bullies and marauders, Gos was a coward at heart

Not willingly, admitted the tiger. But here is the alternative; either you transform yourself into an eye for our child, or I and my dear wife will tear you into shreds.

Don't tell anyone I'm a poet; they might want me to write a book. Don't tell 'em I can sing, or they'd want me to make records for that awful phonograph. Haven't time to be a public benefactor, so I'll just sing you this little song for your own amusement.

Nothing can resist your kind heart and your sharp axe.

What does it all mean? Am I a Gump, or am I a juggernaut?

Suppose we try kindness, suggested the Tin Woodman. I've heard that anyone can be conquered with kindness, no matter how ugly they may be. At

If you only had brain in your head you would be as good as man as any of them, and a better man than some of them. Brains are the only things worth having in this world, no matter whether one is a crow or a man.

Childhood is the time of man's greatest content. 'Tis during these years of innocent pleasure that the little ones are most free from care. [...] Their joy is in being alive, and they do not stop to think. In after-years the doom of mankind overtakes them, and they find they must struggle and worry, work and fret, to gain the wealth that is so dear to the hearts of men.

it is folly for us to try to appear otherwise than as nature has made us.

From the Land of Oz," said Dorothy, gravely. "And here is Toto, too. And oh, Aunt Em! I'm so glad to be at home again!

experience does not always mean wisdom.

You are welcome, most noble Sorceress, to the land of the Munchkins. We are so grateful to you for having killed the Wicked Witch of the East, and for setting our people free from bondage.

It is such an uncomfortable feeling to know one is a fool

The reason most people are bad is because they do not try to be good.

One who is Master of himself is always a King, if only to himself.

Oh, dear! Oh, dear! cried Dorothy, clasping her hands together in dismay. The house must have fallen on her. Whatever shall we do?

but those as knows the least have a habit of thinkin' they know all there is to know, while them as knows the most admits what a turr'ble big world this is. It's the knowing ones that realize one lifetime ain't long enough to git more'n a few dips o' the oars of knowledge.

There's lots o' things folks don't 'preciate, replied the sailor-man. If somethin' would 'most stop your breath, you'd think breathin' easy was the finest thing in life.