William Steig Quotes

Rain caused one to reflect on the shadowed, more poignant parts of life—the inescapable sorrows, the speechless longings, the disappointments, the regrets, the cold miseries. It also allowed one the leisure to ponder questions unasked in the bustle of brighter days; and if one were snug under a sound roof, as Abel was, one felt somehow mothered, though mothers were nowhere around, and absolved of responsibilities.

William Steig

I wish I were a rock,' he said, and he became a rock.

William Steig

He began to develop an obstinate patience.

William Steig

Why did the world go on being so beautiful in spite of the ugliness he had experienced? The lake was beautiful, serenely beautiful. The forest was beautiful, greenly beautiful. Lake and forest, the whole shimmering world was painfully beautiful. He loved this world, but he was too hurt to enjoy it.

William Steig

The stubbornness of his character stood him now in good stead. He refused to consider himself defeated.

William Steig

The world was all magic, and he had a special bottle of it in his right hand.

William Steig

Why had he wanted to be rich, or to feel rich? Was he an unhappy mouse before? Didn't he see the King himself often looking sad? Was anyone completely happy?

William Steig

He was able to love them again, but he loved them now in a wiser way, knowing their weakness.

William Steig

Oh, Life, I am yours. Whatever it is you want of me, I am ready to give.

William Steig