Shel Silverstein Quotes – Lessons in Life and Imagination

Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.

There are no happy endings. Endings are the saddest part, So just give me a happy middle And a very happy start.

I will not play at tug o’ war. I’d rather play at hug o’ war, Where everyone hugs Instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles And rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, And everyone grins, And everyone cuddles, And everyone wins.

I’m afraid of carrots, don’t like bread, And I’ve always slept on a horse’s head. I’m afraid of things that go blink in the night, And need at least two hours of darkness to brush my teeth right.

We can all be divided into two groups: those who divide us into two groups, and those who don’t.

I cannot go to school today, Said little Peggy Ann McKay. I have the measles and the mumps, A gash, a rash and purple bumps.

Tell me I’m clever, Tell me I’m kind, Tell me I’m talented, Tell me I’m cute, Tell me I’m sensitive, Graceful and wise, Tell me I’m perfect— But tell me the truth.

If you have to dry the dishes (Such an awful boring chore) If you have to dry the dishes (‘Stead of going to the store) If you have to dry the dishes And you drop one on the floor— Maybe they won’t let you Dry the dishes anymore.

Shel Silverstein Quotes – Lessons in Life and Imagination part 2

I made myself a snowball As perfect as could be. I thought I’d keep it as a pet And let it sleep with me. I made it some pajamas And a pillow for its head. Then, last night, it ran away, But first—it wet the bed.

Would you like to swing on a star? Carry moonbeams home in a jar? And be better off than you are? Or would you rather be a fish? A fish is an animal that swims in the brook, Stays pretty wet with a hook in its mouth. And all the monkeys aren’t in the zoo; Everyday you meet quite a few. So you see, it’s all up to you: You can be better than you are.

Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.

If the track is tough and the hill is rough, THINKING you can just ain’t enough!

If there is a book you want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.

There is a voice inside of you That whispers all day long, ‘I feel that this is right for me, I know that this is wrong.’ No teacher, preacher, parent, friend, Or wise man can decide What’s right for you–just listen to The voice that speaks inside.”

I will not play at tug o’ war. I’d rather play at hug o’ war, Where everyone hugs Instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles And rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, And everyone grins, And everyone cuddles, And everyone wins.

Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.

Almost every way we make things on Earth Has a less hungry way of making it worse. Electric; expensive, bad for the air. Gasoline engine? We’re not going there. But the garbage itself or the leftovers too Can be turned into something useful for you. We salvage and recycle old tires and rags, And make shiny new bottles from old plastic bags. We recycle old news to make clean white paper, And all the Coke bottles can make an agitator. Instead of these things being filled with decay, We’re recycling—putting them back in the play. So remember dear child, and don’t do what I did: Leave a new forest for a safe place for a kid.”

Once there was a snowman Who stood outside the door Thought he’d like to come inside And run around the floor; Thought he’d like to warm himself By the fire light Thought he’d like to climb up On that big chair by mom— Thought he’d like to jump and slide All along the floor— But— It didn’t snow any more.

Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.

I’m afraid of carrots, don’t like bread, And I’ve always slept on a horse’s head. I’m afraid of things that go blink in the night, And need at least two hours of darkness to brush my teeth right.

If you have to dry the dishes (Such an awful boring chore) If you have to dry the dishes (‘Stead of going to the store) If you have to dry the dishes And you drop one on the floor— Maybe they won’t let you Dry the dishes anymore.

I made myself a snowball As perfect as could be. I thought I’d keep it as a pet And let it sleep with me. I made it some pajamas And a pillow for its head. Then, last night, it ran away, But first—it wet the bed.

I will not play at tug o’ war. I’d rather play at hug o’ war, Where everyone hugs Instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles And rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, And everyone grins, And everyone cuddles, And everyone wins.

Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.

A monster is a monster If that’s the way you want to see, But when I look at you, What gives me heart and hope Is that’s not all I see.

Tell me I’m clever, Tell me I’m kind, Tell me I’m talented, Tell me I’m cute, Tell me I’m sensitive, Graceful and wise, Tell me I’m perfect— But tell me the truth.

I will not play at tug o’ war. I’d rather play at hug o’ war, Where everyone hugs Instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles And rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, And everyone grins, And everyone cuddles, And everyone wins.

Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.

“I said, ‘Are you dirty because you’re dirty? Or are you dirty because you’re black? ‘Cause if you were black, it’d be okay, And I’d wash your face everyday. I said, ‘Are you dirty because you’re fat? Or are you fat because you’re dirty? Because if you were skinny, it’d be okay, And I’d wash your face everyday.”

Would you like to swing on a star? Carry moonbeams home in a jar? And be better off than you are? Or would you rather be a fish? A fish is an animal that swims in the brook, Stays pretty wet with a hook in its mouth. And all the monkeys aren’t in the zoo; Everyday you meet quite a few. So you see, it’s all up to you: You can be better than you are.

Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.

Once there was a snowman Who stood outside the door Thought he’d like to come inside And run around the floor; Thought he’d like to warm himself By the fire light Thought he’d like to climb up On that big chair by mom— Thought he’d like to jump and slide All along the floor— But— It didn’t snow any more.

Almost every way we make things on Earth Has a less hungry way of making it worse. Electric; expensive, bad for the air. Gasoline engine? We’re not going there. But the garbage itself or the leftovers too Can be turned into something useful for you. We salvage and recycle old tires and rags, And make shiny new bottles from old plastic bags. We recycle old news to make clean white paper, And all the Coke bottles can make an agitator. Instead of these things being filled with decay, We’re recycling—putting them back in the play. So remember dear child, and don’t do what I did: Leave a new forest for a safe place for a kid.”

Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.

I’m afraid of carrots, don’t like bread, And I’ve always slept on a horse’s head. I’m afraid of things that go blink in the night, And need at least two hours of darkness to brush my teeth right. 36. If you have to dry the dishes (Such an awful boring chore) If you have to dry the dishes (‘Stead of going to the store) If you have to dry the dishes And you drop one on the floor— Maybe they won’t let you Dry the dishes anymore. 37. I made myself a snowball As perfect as could be. I thought I’d keep it as a pet And let it sleep with me. I made it some pajamas And a pillow for its head. Then, last night, it ran away, But first—it wet the bed. 38. I will not play at tug o’ war. I’d rather play at hug o’ war, Where everyone hugs Instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles And rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, And everyone grins, And everyone cuddles, And everyone wins. 39. Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be. 40. A monster is a monster If that’s the way you want to see, But when I look at you, What gives me heart and hope Is that’s not all I see. 4

Tell me I’m clever, Tell me I’m kind, Tell me I’m talented, Tell me I’m cute, Tell me I’m sensitive, Graceful and wise, Tell me I’m perfect— But tell me the truth. 42. I will not play at tug o’ war. I’d rather play at hug o’ war, Where everyone hugs Instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles And rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, And everyone grins, And everyone cuddles, And everyone wins. 43. Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be. 44. “I said, ‘Are you dirty because you’re dirty? Or are you dirty because you’re black? ‘Cause if you were black, it’d be okay, And I’d wash your face everyday. I said, ‘Are you dirty because you’re fat? Or are you fat because you’re dirty? Because if you were skinny, it’d be okay, And I’d wash your face everyday.” 45. Would you like to swing on a star? Carry moonbeams home in a jar? And be better off than you are? Or would you rather be a fish? A fish is an animal that swims in the brook, Stays pretty wet with a hook in its mouth. And all the monkeys aren’t in the zoo; Everyday you meet quite a few. So you see, it’s all up to you: You can be better than you are.