Shel Silverstein Quotes

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.

The Voice There is a voice inside of you That whispers all day long, "I feel 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 asked the Zebra, are you black with white stripes? Or white with black stripes? And the zebra asked me, Are you good with bad habits? Or are you bad with good habits?

Just 'cause somethin' ain't been done Don't mean it can't be did.

Never explain what you do. It speaks for itself. You only muddle it by talking about it.

A spider lives inside my head Who weaves a strange and wondrous web Of silken threads and silver strings To catch all sorts of flying things, Like crumbs of thoughts and bits of smiles And specks of dried-up tears, And dust of dreams that catch and cling For years and years and years...

Underneath my outside face There's a face that none can see. A little less smiley, A little less sure, But a whole lot more like me.

What did the carrot say to the wheat? Lettuce rest, I'm feeling beet.

This bridge will take you halfway there - the last few steps you will have to take yourself.

How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it. How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live 'em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give 'em.

If we meet and I say, "Hi," That's a salutation. If you ask me how I feel, That's a consideration. If we stop and talk awhile, That's a conversation. If we understand each other, That's communication. If we argue, scream and fight, That's an altercation. If later we apologize, That's a reconciliation. If we help each other home, That's cooperation. And all these ations added up Make civilization. (And if I say this is a wonderful poem, Is that exaggeration?)

Listen to the voice that speaks inside

If you're a bird, be an early bird. But if you're a worm, sleep late.

How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live 'em.

The Little Boy and the Old Man Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon." Said the old man, "I do that too." The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants." I do that too," laughed the little old man. Said the little boy, "I often cry." The old man nodded, "So do I." But worst of all," said the boy, "it seems Grown-ups don't pay attention to me." And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand. I know what you mean," said the little old man.

If there is a book you want to read but isn`t written yet,write it.

I was always prepared for success but that means that I have to be prepared for failure, too.

Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.

There is a place where the sidewalk ends.

But all the magic I have known I've had to make myself.

i made myself a snowball As perfect as can 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 it's head. Then last night it ran away, But first - It wet the bed.

Do a loony-goony dance 'Cross the kitchen floor, Put something silly in the world That ain't been there before.

The Yesees said yes to anything That anyone suggested. The Noees said no to everything Unless it was proven and tested. So the Yesees all died of much too much And the Noees all died of fright, But somehow I think the Thinkforyourselfees All came out all right.

And all the colors I am inside have not been invented yet.