"I wrote somewhere once that the third-rate mind was only happy when it was thinking with the majority, the second-rate mind was only happy when it was thinking with the minority, and the first-rate mind was only happy when it was thinking."
- War with Honour, Macmillan War Pamphlets, Issue 2 (1940).
A.A. Milne has always been my favourite writer of young juvenile fiction. Now one of my older sisters, who was a librarian, did not share my enthusiasm. I don't think she thought his work was literally sound. For me, he created one of the most lovable group of friends that exist for children.
Quite honestly, I do not believe I was ever very popular in grade school so I made friends with Christopher, his gang, and A. A.Milne. By the time I was in high school, they had helped me learn how to be a better friend to others and got me interested in writing.
"It is hard to be brave," said Piglet, sniffing slightly, "when you're only a Very Small Animal." I always felt kind of at odds with myself ...anything but strong or brave.
Piglet took Pooh's arm, in case Pooh was frightened.
I always felt foreboding of the future and worried that people would see me through anything but rose coloured glasses. So Pooh's optimistic lop-sided attitude was quite helpful to me.
Bores can be divided into two classes; those who have their own particular subject, and those who do not need a subject. - A. A. Milne
What I say is that, if a fellow really likes potatoes, he must be a pretty decent sort of fellow. - A. A. Milne This line really makes me understand how middle class the Winnie the Pooh books are.
Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again? - A. A. Milne
Didn't do that sort of thing when I was young but it is part of my life now.
Almost anyone can be an author; the business is to collect money and fame from this state of being. - A. A. Milne
I gave up writing children's books. I wanted to escape from them as I had once wanted to escape from 'Punch': as I have always wanted to escape. In vain. - A. A. Milne
If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you. - A. A. Milne
The Old Testament is responsible for more atheism, agnosticism, disbelief - call it what you will - than any book ever written. It has emptied more churches than all the counter-attractions of cinema, motor-bicycle and golf course. - A. A. Milne
All of the above is self explanatory. I think Milne has really given all of us amazing fodder for our minds!
Is 'The Wind in the Willows' a children's book? Is 'Alice in Wonderland?' Is 'Treasure Island?' These are masterpieces which we read with pleasure as children, but with how much more pleasure when we are grown-up. - A. A. Milne I still think that that those books as well as Winnie are good fun to read.
I really am of the opinion that we all can learn things even from fantasy, fiction, as well as the obvious factual books.
Angel's Words of Heavenly Wisdom won't be run most probably until August. I will get some more pictures of her and publish them as soon as I possibly can along with her small essay.