On what would have been his 101st birthday, children and adults alike are celebrating Roald Dahl Day.
The much-loved author, known for his darkly humorous children’s books, has sold over 250 million copies worldwide. Dahl’s vibrant and exciting worlds have been brought to life on screen and stage in popular adaptations of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and, more recently, The BFG, to name just a few.
With a propensity to play with language, Dahl’s ever-growing following has meant that “snozzcumbers” and “scrumdiddlyumptious” can be uttered in conversation without the bat of an eyelid. Not to mention that of the iconic author’s “phizz-whizzing” lingo, several words made their way into the Oxford English Dictionary last year to mark the centenary of his birth.
Dahl’s vivid imagination has brought giant peaches and Oompa-Loompas to schools and homes around the world while his heartfelt wisdom is intertwined within each sentence and rhyme.
To honour Roald Dahl Day, we've rounded up some of his very best quotes:
“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”
From: The Twits
“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
From: The Minpins
“Having power is not nearly as important as what you choose to do with it.”
From: Matilda
“Most of the really exciting things we do in our lives scare us to death. They wouldn’t be exciting if they didn’t.”
From: Danny, the Champion of the World
“Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.”
From: Matilda
“I cannot be right all the time. Quite often I is left instead of right.”
From: The BFG
“I understand what you’re saying, and your comments are valuable, but I’m gonna ignore your advice.”
From: Fantastic Mr. Fox
9 of the best gifts for Roald Dahl lovers
“It doesn’t matter who you are or what you like so long as somebody loves you.”
From: The Witches
“A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.”
From: Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
“So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.”
From: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
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