Shel Silverstein Quotes: A Slice of Life and Words of Wisdom

A renowned poet, cartoonist, songwriter, and writer, Shel Silverstein dons many feathers. The author and illustrator of various books such as The Giving Tree, A Light in the Attic, Falling Up, Shel has won the hearts of adults and children alike. These Shel Silverstein quotes reek of nostalgia and familiarity.

Shel Silverstein Quotes That Celebrate the Living

Inspirational Shel Silverstein Quotes

#1. “If the track is tough and the hill is rough, THINKING you can just ain’t enough!” ― Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends

#2. “If there is a book you want to read but isn’t written yet, write it.” ― Shel Silverstein, Roger Was a Razor Fish, and Other Poems

#3. “If you have to dry the dishes (Such an awful boring chore), if you have to dry the dishes (‘Stead of going to the store), if you have to dry the dishes, and you drop one on the floor, maybe they won’t let you, dry the dishes anymore.” ― Shel Silverstein, A Light in the Attic

#4. “Anything is possible. Anything can be.” ― Shel Silverstein

#5. “If you are a dreamer come in.” ― Shel Silverstein

#6. “But all the magic I have known, I’ve had to make myself.” ― Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends

Shel Silverstein Quotes That Impart Wisdom

#7. “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.” ― Shel Silverstein

#8. “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.” ― Shel Silverstein

#9. “Everything isn’t everything.” ― Shel Silverstein, Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back

#10. “Tell me I’m clever, tell me I’m kind, tell me I’m talented, tell me I’m cute, tell me I’m sensitive, graceful and wise, tell me I’m perfect—But tell me the truth.” ― Shel Silverstein

#11. “Never explain what you do. It speaks for itself. You only muddle it by talking about it.” ― Shel Silverstein

#12. “To me, freedom entitles you to do something, not to not do something.” ― Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein Quotes on Life and Ending

#13. “EARLY BIRD, Oh, if you’re a bird, be an early bird, and catch the worm for your breakfast plate. If you’re a bird, be an early early bird―But if you’re a worm, sleep late.” ― Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends

#14. “There are no happy endings. Endings are the saddest part, so just give me a happy middle and a very happy start.” ― Shel Silverstein, Everything on It

#15. “Because life, you know, has pretty sad endings. You don’t have to laugh it up even if most of my stuff is humorous.” ― Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein Quotes on Love and Friendship

#16. “And she loved a boy very, very much―even more than she loved herself.” ― Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree

#17. “I know a way to stay friends forever, there’s really nothing to it, I tell you what to do, and you do it.” ― Shel Silverstein

#18. “So I’m all of love that could make it today.” ― Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends

#19. “We can’t hold hands―Someone might see. Won’t you please hold toes with me?” ― Shel Silverstein, Everything on It

Philosophical Shel Silverstein Quotes

#20. “And he didn’t really know where he was going, but he did know he was going somewhere, because you really have to go somewhere, don’t you?” ― Shel Silverstein, Lafcadio, the Lion Who Shot Back

#21. “Each time I see the Upside-Down Man, standing in the water, I look at him and start to laugh, although I shouldn’t oughtter. For maybe in another world, another time, another town, maybe HE is right side up, and I am upside down” ― Shel Silverstein

#22. “Once I spoke the language of the flowers, once I understand each word the caterpillar said, once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starlings, and shared a conversation with the housefly in my bed.” ― Shel Silverstein

#23. “I’ve found my missin’ piece So grease my knees and fleece my bees I’ve found my missin’ piece!” ― Shel Silverstein

#24. “He wasted his wishes on wishing.” ― Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends

Other Shel Silverstein Quotes

#25. “Once there was a tree, and she loved a little boy.” ― Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree

#26. “When the light turns green, you go. When the light turns red, you stop. But what do you do when the light turns blue with orange and lavender spots?” ― Shel Silverstein, A Light in the Attic

#27. “The bridge will only take you halfway there, to those mysterious lands you long to see. Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fair, and moonlit woods where unicorns run free. So come and walk awhile with me and share the twisting trails and wondrous worlds I’ve known. But this bridge will only take you halfway there. The last few steps you have to take alone.” ― Shel Silverstein

#28. “The baby bat, Screamed out in fright, ‘Turn on the dark, I’m afraid of the light.'” ― Shel Silverstein

#29. “And the tree was happy.” ― Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree

#30. “And all the colors I am inside have not been invented yet.” ― Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends

#31. “Stand-up comics reflect less of a visual humor and more of a commentary.” ― Shel Silverstein

#32. “Although I cannot see your face, As you flip these poems awhile, Somewhere from some far-off place, I hear you laughing―and I smile.” ― Shel Silverstein

#33. “He has the obligation to society that any human being has. I don’t think a satirist has any greater obligation to society than a bricklayer or anybody else.” ― Shel Silverstein

Conclusion

Shel Silverstein was known to tell it like it is. He continues to remain decades after his death. Reading these Shel Silverstein quotes will make you wonder and wander in your thoughts. Makes for a leisurely afternoon activity.

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