30 Dr. Seuss quotes that are full of whimsy and wisdom
Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was one of the world's most beloved children's book authors.
Born in 1904, Seuss wrote and illustrated more than 60 children's books during his lifetime, including iconic titles such as “The Lorax,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” and “The Cat in the Hat.”
In fact, Seuss authored sixteen of the top one hundred hardcover children's books of all time, according to Publisher's Weekly.
Aside from their zany illustrations and catchy rhymes, Seuss's books often contained important educational and moral lessons.
Many of us have fond childhood memories of practicing our counting with “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish,” learning how to stand up for others in “Horton Hears a Who,” or discovering the real meaning of the holiday season from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
Seuss's wisdom is hardly limited to children. His inspirational book “Oh, The Places You'll Go!” remains a perennial favorite for graduates and young adults, with insightful lines like “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
No matter your age, Dr. Seuss's creative quips are guaranteed to amuse and entertain. The next time you need an inspiring quote or two, read through this list of 30 Dr. Seuss quotes reminiscent of childhood.
Dr. Seuss quotes for every occasion
“You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.” — Dr. Seuss
“I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny, but we can have lots of good fun that is funny.” — Dr. Seuss, “The Cat in the Hat”
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” — Dr. Seuss, “The Lorax”
“When he worked, he really worked. But when he played, he really PLAYED.” — Dr. Seuss, “The King’s Stilts”
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” — Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” — Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!”
“It’s high time you were shown that you really don’t know all there is to be known.” — Dr. Seuss, “On Beyond Zebra!”
“I know up on top you are seeing great sights, but down here on the bottom, we too should have rights.” — Dr. Seuss, “Yertle the Turtle”
“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” — Dr. Seuss, “Happy Birthday to You!”
“Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, was singing! Without any presents at all! He HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same!” — Dr. Seuss, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
“Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care. Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air. Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack. Then the Lorax and all of his friends may come back.” — Dr. Seuss, “The Lorax”
“Out there things can happen, and frequently do, to people as brainy and footsy as you. And when things start to happen, don’t worry, don’t stew. Just go right along, you’ll start happening too!” — Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
“In the house, and on the street, how many, many feet you meet.” — Dr. Seuss, “The Foot Book”
“Here are some who like to run. They run for fun in the hot, hot sun.” — Dr. Seuss, “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish”
“If you keep your eyes open enough, oh, the stuff you will learn! The most wonderful stuff!” —Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!”
“And this mess is so big and so deep and so tall, we cannot pick it up. There is no way at all!” — Dr. Seuss, “The Cat in the Hat”
“In Who-ville they say that the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day!” — Dr. Seuss, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
“Some have two feet and some have four. Some have six feet and some have more. Where do they come from? I can’t say. But I bet they have come a long, long way.” — Dr. Seuss, “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish”
“Don’t give up! I believe in you all. A person’s a person, no matter how small!” — Dr. Seuss, “Horton Hears a Who!”
“We looked! Then we saw him step in on the mat! We looked! And we saw him! The Cat in the Hat!” — Dr. Seuss, “The Cat in the Hat”
“I am lucky to be what I am! Thank goodness I’m not just a clam, or a ham, or a dusty jar of sour gooseberry jam! I am what I am — that’s a great thing to be!” — Dr. Seuss, “Happy Birthday to You!”
“Try them, try them, and you may! Try them and you may, I say.” — Dr. Seuss, “Green Eggs and Ham”
“You’ll be on your way up! You’ll be seeing great sights! You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.” — Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
“I meant what I said and I said what I meant — An elephant’s faithful one hundred per cent!” — Dr. Seuss, “Horton Hatches the Egg”
“You oughta be thankful, a whole heaping lot, for the places and people you’re lucky you’re not!” — Dr. Seuss, “Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?”
“Oh the things you can find if you don’t stay behind!” — Dr. Seuss, “On Beyond Zebra!”
“‘Maybe Christmas,' he thought, 'doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas … perhaps ... means a little bit more!'” — Dr. Seuss, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” — Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!”
“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.” — Dr. Seuss, “The Lorax”
“You’re off to great places. Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So ... get on your way.” — Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
