Set in the fictional town of Avonlea on Canada’s Prince Edward Island, the 1908 classic children’s novel Anne of Green Gables is the story of a high-spirited young orphan with a heart of gold.
When 11-year-old Anne Shirley is mistakenly sent to live with the Cuthbert siblings, Matthew and Marilla, she’s heartbroken to learn they don’t intend to keep her. The Cuthberts want a boy to help with the chores on their farm, but Anne enchants them — and everyone else she meets — with her quirky personality and whimsical observations.
Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved tale recounts Anne’s charming adventures, capturing all the magic and innocence of childhood. With a spirit as fiery as her red hair and a vivid imagination that sustained her through a traumatic past, Anne has inspired innumerable readers of all ages.
There’s something uplifting about the young heroine’s outlook on life, and these quotes, filled with her infectious optimism, can encourage us all to look on the bright side, too.
Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive — it’s such an interesting world.
People laugh at me because I use big words. But if you have big ideas you have to use big words to express them, haven’t you?
I always say good night to the things I love, just as I would to people. I think they like it.
Listen to the trees talking in their sleep. What nice dreams they must have!
It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.
It gives you a lovely, comfortable feeling to apologize and be forgiven, doesn’t it?
What a splendid day! Isn’t it good just to be alive on a day like this?
I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
Looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them.
One can’t stay sad very long in such an interesting world, can one?
I love a book that makes me cry.
Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.
Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?
There is something in me today that makes me just love everybody I see.
It is ever so much easier to be good if your clothes are fashionable.
Look at that sea — all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen.
Oh, it’s delightful to have ambitions. I’m so glad I have such a lot. And there never seems to be any end to them — that’s the best of it.
Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing.
Dear old world, you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.
God’s in his heaven, all’s right with the world.
Featured image credit: CBW/ Alamy Stock Photo
