110+ Shel Silverstein Quotes On Reading, Sons And Poetry

Shel Silverstein was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter, and author of children's books. He was best known for his cartoons, songs, and children's books such as The Giving Tree, Where the Sidewalk Ends, A Light in the Attic, and Falling Up. Silverstein's books have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold more than 20 million copies. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Shel Silverstein on life, love, reading.

Top 10 Shel Silverstein Quotes

1. I asked the Zebra, are you black with white stripes? Or white with black stripes? And the zebra asked me, Are you good with bad habits? Or are you bad with good habits?
2. 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?
3. Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.
4. Thanksgiving dinner's sad and thankless. Christmas dinner's dark and blue. When you stop and try to see it From the turkey's point of view.
5. There are no happy endings. Endings are the saddest part, So just give me a happy middle And a very happy start.
6. Never explain what you do. It speaks for itself. You only muddle it by talking about it.
7. What did the carrot say to the wheat? Lettuce rest, I'm feeling beet.
8. 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.
9. And all the colors I am inside have not been invented yet.
10. But all the magic I have known I've had to make myself.

Shel Silverstein Short Quotes

• It's all the same to the clam.
• There is a place where the sidewalk ends.
• This bridge will take you halfway there - the last few steps you will have to take yourself.
• I will not play at tug o' war, I'd rather play at hug o' war
• If you are a dreamer come in
• Instead of tug o' war, let's play hug o' war.
• We're all worth the same When we turn off the light.
• And the tree was happy
• We can't hold hands― Someone might see. Won't you please Hold toes with me?
• So please get your rags And your polishing jars, Somebody has to go polish the stars.

Shel Silverstein Quotes About Life

The Voice There is a voice inside of you That whispers all day long, "I feel this is right for me, I know that this is wrong." No teacher, preacher, parent, friend Or wise man can decide What's right for you--just listen to The voice that speaks inside. — Shel Silverstein

Do a loony-goony dance 'Cross the kitchen floor, Put something silly in the world That ain't been there before. — Shel Silverstein

She had blue skin, And so did he. He kept it hid And so did she. They searched for blue Their whole life through, Then passed right by- And never knew. — Shel Silverstein

If you're a bird, be an early bird. But if you're a worm, sleep late. — Shel Silverstein

How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live 'em. — Shel Silverstein

The baby bat Screamed out in fright, 'Turn on the dark, I'm afraid of the light. — Shel Silverstein

If there is a book you want to read but isn`t written yet,write it. — Shel Silverstein

Anything is possible. Anything can be. — Shel Silverstein

Just 'cause somethin' ain't been done Don't mean it can't be did. — Shel Silverstein

If the track is tough and the hill is rough, THINKING you can just ain't enough! — Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein Quotes About Love

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

FROZEN DREAM I'll take the dream I had last night And put it in my freezer, So someday long and far away When I'm an old grey geezer, I'll take it out and thaw it out, This lovely dream I've frozen, And boil it up and sit me down A dip my old cold toes in. — Shel Silverstein

INVISIBLE BOY And here we see the invisible boy In his lovely invisible house, Feeding a piece of invisible cheese To a little invisible mouse. Oh, what a beautiful picture to see! Will you draw an invisible picture for me? — Shel Silverstein

And the boy loved the tree.......very much. And the tree was happy. — Shel Silverstein

So I'm all of love that could make it today. — Shel Silverstein

Once there was a tree, and she loved a little boy. — Shel Silverstein

... and she loved a boy very, very much-- even more than she loved herself. — Shel Silverstein

Ricky was "L" but he's home with the flu, Lizzie, our "O," had some homework to do, Mitchell, "E" prob'ly got lost on the way, So I'm all of the love that could make it today. — Shel Silverstein

You don't have to shoot me," says the young lion. "I will be your rug and I will lie in front of your fireplace and I won't move a muscle and you can sit on me and toast all the marshmallows you want. I love marshmallows. — Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein Quotes About Writing

Draw a crazy picture,Write a nutty poem,Sing a mumble-gumble song,Whistle through your comb.Do a loony-goony dance'Cross the kitchen floor,Put something silly in the worldThat ain't been there before. — Shel Silverstein

When I am gone what will you do? Who will write and draw for you? Someone smarter--someone new? Someone better--maybe YOU! — Shel Silverstein

I am writing these poems from inside a lion. — Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein Quotes About Listen

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

Listen to the voice that speaks inside — Shel Silverstein

Listen to the mustn'ts child.Listen to the don'ts.Listen to the shouldn't haves, the impossibles, the won'ts.Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me.Anything can happen child.Anything can be. — Shel Silverstein

Don't be dependent on anyone else. I want to go everywhere, look at, and listen to everything. You can go crazy with some of the wonderful stuff there is in life. — Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein Famous Quotes And Sayings

I will not play tug o' war. I'd rather play hug o' war. Where everyone hugs instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles and rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins. — Shel Silverstein

My skin is kind of sort of brownish pinkish yellowish white. My eyes are greyish blueish green, but I'm told they look orange in the night. My hair is reddish blondish brown, but its silver when its wet, and all the colors I am inside have not been invented yet. — Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk ends, And before the street begins, And there the grass grows soft and white, And there the sun burns crimson bright, And there the moon-bird rests from his flight To cool in the peppermint wind. — Shel Silverstein

A spider lives inside my head Who weaves a strange and wondrous web Of silken threads and silver strings To catch all sorts of flying things, Like crumbs of thoughts and bits of smiles And specks of dried-up tears, And dust of dreams that catch and cling For years and years and years... — Shel Silverstein

I believe that if you don't want to do anything, then sit there and don't do it, but don't expect people to hand you a corn beef sandwich and wash your socks for you and unzip your fly for you. — Shel Silverstein

The hens they all cackle, the roosters all beg, But I will not hatch, I will not hatch. For I hear all the talk of pollution and war As the people all shout and the airplane roar, So I'm staying in here where it's safe and it's warm, And I WILL NOT HATCH! — Shel Silverstein

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black And the dark street winds and bends. Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And watch where the chalk-white arrows go To the place where the sidewalk ends. — Shel Silverstein

If you want to find out what a writer or a cartoonist really feels, look at his work. That's enough. — Shel Silverstein

If you are a dreamer come in If you are a dreamer a wisher a liar A hoper a pray-er a magic-bean-buyer If youre a pretender com sit by my fire For we have some flax golden tales to spin Come in! Come in! — Shel Silverstein

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

If you're sloppy, that's just fine. If you're moody, I won't mind. If you're fat, that's fine with me. If you're skinny, let it be. If you're bossy, that's all right. if you're nasty, I won't fight. If you're rough, well that's just you. If you're mean, that's all right too. Whatever you are is all okay. I don't like you anyway. — Shel Silverstein

Magic Sandra’s seen a leprechaun, Eddie touched a troll, Laurie danced with witches once, Charlie found some goblins gold. Donald heard a mermaid sing, Susy spied an elf, But all the magic I have known I've had to make myself. — Shel Silverstein

I tried on the farmer's hat, Didn't fit. . . A little too small - just a bit Too floppy. . . . . I tried on the summer sun, Felt good. Nice and warm - knew it would. Tried the grass beneath bare feet, Felt neat. Finally, finally felt well dressed, Nature's clothes fit me best. — Shel Silverstein

Just Me, Just Me Sweet Marie, she loves just me (She also loves Maurice McGhee). No she don't, she loves just me (She also loves Louise Dupree). No she don't, she loves just me (She also loves the willow tree). No she don't, she loves just me! (Poor, poor fool, why can't you see She can love others and still love thee.) — Shel Silverstein

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 bird— But if you’re a worm, sleep late. — Shel Silverstein

If you're nasty, I won't fight. If you're rough, well that's just you. If you're mean, that's alright too. Whatever you are is all okay. I don't like you anyway. — Shel Silverstein

A hippo sandwich is easy to make. All you do is simply take one slice of bread, one slice of cake, some mayonnaise, one onion ring, one hippopotamus, one piece of string, a dash of pepper. That ought to do it. And now comes the problem... biting into it! — Shel Silverstein

Underneath my outside face There's a face that none can see. A little less smiley, A little less sure, But a whole lot more like me. — Shel Silverstein

All The Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas Layin' In The Sun, Talkin' 'Bout The Things They Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda Done... But All Those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas All Ran Away And Hid From One Little Did. — Shel Silverstein

'I don't need very much now,' said the boy, 'just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.' 'Well,' said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, "well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.'And the boy did. And the tree was happy. — Shel Silverstein

Since my fried left me,I've got nothing to do but walking.I walk to forget.I walk,I escape,I get further.My friend will not come back,now I am a marathon man. — Shel Silverstein

I was so lucky that I didn't have anyone to copy, be impressed by. I had developed my own style, I was creating before I knew there was a Thurber, a Benchley, a Price and a Steinberg. I never saw their work until I was around thirty. — Shel Silverstein

Rockabye Baby, in the treetop Dont you know a treetop is no safe place to rock? And who put you up there, and your cradle too? Baby, I think someone down here has got it in for you! — Shel Silverstein

Imagine - four years you could have spent travelling around Europe meeting people, or going to the Far East of Africa or India, meeting people, exchanging ideas, reading all you wanted to anyway, and instead I wasted it at Roosevelt. — Shel Silverstein

Oh I'm lookin' for my missin' piece I'm lookin' for my missin' piece Hi-dee-ho, here I go, Lookin' for my missin' piece — Shel Silverstein

This boat that we just built is just fine - And don't try to tell us it's not The sides and the back are divine - It's the bottom I guess we forgot — Shel Silverstein

TREE HOUSE A tree house, a free house, A secret you and me house, A high up in the leafy branches Cozy as can be house. A street house, a neat house, Be sure to wipe your feet house Is not my kind of house at all- Let's go live in a tree house. — Shel Silverstein

why can't you see i'm a kid', said the kid. Why try to make me like you? Why are you hurt when I don't cuddle? Why do you sigh when I splash through a puddle? Why do you scream when I do what I did? Im a kid. — Shel Silverstein

Pirate Captain Jim "Walk the plank," says Pirate Jim "But Captain Jim, I cannot swim." "Then you must steer us through the gale." "But Captain Jim, I cannot sail." "Then down with the galley slaves you go." "But Captain Jim, I cannot row." "Then you must be the pirate's clerk." "But Captain Jim, I cannot work. — Shel Silverstein

My beard grows down to my toes, I never wears no clothes, I wraps my hair Around my bare, And down the road I goes. — Shel Silverstein

I'm making a list I'm making a list of things I must say For politeness, And goodness and kindness and gentleness Sweetness and rightness: Hello Pardon me How are you? Excuse me Bless you May I? Thank you Goodbye If you know some that I've forgot, Please stick them in you eye! — Shel Silverstein

Eighteen luscuios scrumpitous flavors, Chocolate,Lime and Cherry Coffee,Pumpkin, Fudge-Banana, Caramel Cream and boysenberry. Rocky Road and Toasted Almond, Butterscotch,Vanilla Dip, Butter Brinkle, Apple Ripple,Coconut,and Mocha Chip, Brandy Peach and Lemon Custard. Each scoop lovely.smooth and round. Tallest cream cone in town lying there on the ground. — Shel Silverstein

i made myself a snowball As perfect as can be. I thought I'd keep it as a pet, And let it sleep with me. I made it some pajamas And a pillow for it's head. Then last night it ran away, But first - It wet the bed. — Shel Silverstein

Runny's Nicpic One day Runny Babbit Met little Franny Fog. He said, "Let's have a nicpic Down by the lollow hog." He brought some cutter bookies, Some teanuts and some pea. And what did Franny Fog bring? Her whole fog framily. — Shel Silverstein

Somebody has to go polish the stars, They're looking a little bit dull. Somebody has to go polish the stars, For the eagles and starlings and gulls Have all been complaining they're tarnished and worn, They say they want new ones we cannot afford. So please get your rags And your polishing jars, Somebody has to go polish the stars. — Shel Silverstein

Birds are flyin' south for winter. Here's the Weird-Bird headin' north, Wings a-flappin', beak a-chatterin', Cold head bobbin' back 'n' forth. He says, "It's not that I like ice Or freezin' winds and snowy ground. It's just sometimes it's kind of nice To be the only bird in town. — Shel Silverstein

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

I asked the zebra,Are you black with white strips?Or white with black strips?And the zebra asked me,Are you good with bad habits?Or are you bad with good habits?Are you noisy with quiet times?Or are you quiet with noisy times?Are you happy with sad days?Or are you sad with happy days?Are you neat with some sloppy ways?Or are you sloppy with some neat ways?And on and on and on and onAnd on and on he went.I'll never ask a zebraAbout stripesAgain. — Shel Silverstein

One day he said, "I'll tell this town How it feels to be an unfunny clown." And he told them all why he looked so sad, And he told them all why he felt so bad. He told of Pain and Rain and Cold, He told of Darkness in his soul, And after he finished his tale of woe, Did everyone cry? Oh no, no, no, They laughed until they shook the trees... And while the world laughed outside. Cloony the Clown sat down and cried. — Shel Silverstein

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

Once I spoke the language of the flowers, Once I understood 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. Once I heard and answered all the questions of the crickets, And joined the crying of each falling dying flake of snow, Once I spoke the language of the flowers. . . . How did it go? How did it go? — Shel Silverstein

It's always a nice feeling, having people think that you feel things much deeper than you're allowed to say, but this isn't true. If you want to find out what a writer or a cartoonist really feels, look at his work. That's enough. — Shel Silverstein

I myself do not believe in explaining anything. — Shel Silverstein

It's amazing the difference A bit of sky can make. — Shel Silverstein

You'd better get your laugh while you're making your point, or you won't be doing it very long. — Shel Silverstein

Said the little boy, Sometimes I drop my spoon.Said the little old man, I do that too.The little boy whispered, I wet my pants.I do too, laughed the old man.Said the little boy, I often cry.The old man nodded. So do I.But worst of all, said the boy, it seemsGrown-ups don't pay attention to me.And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.I know what you mean, said the little old man. — Shel Silverstein

Teddy said it was a hat, So I put it on. Now dad is saying, "where the heck's the toilet plunger gone? — Shel Silverstein

Stand-up comics reflect less of a visual humor and more of a commentary. — Shel Silverstein

Beware of being the roller / When there's nothing left to roll — Shel Silverstein

When I was a kid I would much rather have been a good baseball player or a hit with the girls, but I couldn't play ball. I couldn't dance. Luckily, the girls didn't want me. Not much I could do about that. So I started to draw and to write By the time I got to where I was attracting girls, I was already into work, and it was more important to me. Not that I wouldn't rather make love, but the work has become a habit. — Shel Silverstein

One sister for sale, One sister for sale, One crying and spying young sister for sale I'm really not kidding so who'll start the bidding Do I hear a dollar? A nickle? A penny? Oh isnt there isnt there isnt there any One person who will buy this sister for sale This crying spying old young sister for sale. — Shel Silverstein

He wasted his wishes on wishing. — Shel Silverstein

Oh, I'm being eaten By a boa constrictor, A boa constrictor, A boa constrictor, I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor, And I don't like it--one bit. Well, what do you know? It's nibblin' my toe. Oh, gee, It's up to my knee. Oh my, It's up to my thigh. Oh, fiddle, It's up to my middle. Oh, heck, It's up to my neck. Oh, dread, It's upmmmmmmmmmmffffffffff . . . — Shel Silverstein

Don’t know where he’s going but sees where he’s been. — Shel Silverstein

Ourchestra: So you haven't got a drum, just beat your belly. So I haven't got a horn-I'll play my nose. So we haven't any cymbals- We'll just slap our hands together, And though there may be orchestras That sound a little better With their fancy shiny instruments That cost an awful lot- Hey, we're making music twice as good By playing what we've got! — Shel Silverstein

Oh the thumb-sucker's thumbMay look wrinkled and wetAnd withered, and white as the snow,But the taste of a thumbIs the sweetest taste yet(As only we thumb-sucker's know). — Shel Silverstein

Whatever you are is all okay. I don't like you anyway. — Shel Silverstein

I was hoping that perhaps I could roll with you..." "You cannot roll with me," said the Big O, "but perhaps you can roll by yourself. — Shel Silverstein

At night my mind does not much care if what it thinks is here or there. It tells me stories, it invents and makes up things that don't make sense. I do not know why it does this stuff. The real world seems quite weird enough. — Shel Silverstein

I would hope that people, no matter what age, would find something to identify with in my books, pick one up and experience a personal sense of discovery. That's great. But for them, not for me. — Shel Silverstein

Pirate Dreams Needles and pins, Needles and pins, Sew me a sail to catch me the wind. Sew me a sail strong as the gale, Carpenter, bring out your hammers and nails. Hammers and nails, hammers and nails, Build me a boat to go chasing the whales. Chasing the whales, sailing the blue Find me a captain and sign me a crew. Captain and crew, captain and crew, Take me, oh take me to anywhere new. — Shel Silverstein

Knock! knock! who's there? me! me who? that's right? what's right? meehoo! that's what I want to know! what's what you want to know? me who? yes, exactly! exactly what? yes, I have exactlywatt on a chain! exactly what on a chain? yes! yes what? no, exactlywatt! that's what I want to know! I told you-exactlywatt! exactly what? yes! yes what? yes it's with me. what's with you? exactlywatt-that's what with me. me who? yes! go away! knock knock... — Shel Silverstein

To me, freedom entitles you to do something, not to not do something. — Shel Silverstein

I'd rather play tennis than go to the dentist. I'd rather play soccer than go to the doctor. I'd rather play Hurk than go to work. Hurk? Hurk? What's Hurk? I don't know but it MUST be better than work! — Shel Silverstein

ALICE She drank from a bottle called DRINK ME And she grew so tall, She ate from a plate called TASTE ME And down she shrank so small. And so she changed, while other folks Never tried nothin' at all. — Shel Silverstein

Talked my head off Worked my tail off Cried my eyes out Walked my feet off Sang my heat out So you see, There's really not much left of me. — Shel Silverstein

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

God says to me with a kind of smile, "Hey how would you like to be God awhile And steer the world?" . . . . "How much do I get? What time is lunch?" . . . . "Gimme back that wheel," says God. "I don't think you're quite ready yet." — Shel Silverstein

I was always prepared for success but that means that I have to be prepared for failure, too. — Shel Silverstein

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

Life Lessons by Shel Silverstein

1. Shel Silverstein taught us to embrace our inner child, to be creative and to never take life too seriously.
2. He showed us the importance of being kind and understanding to those around us, and to always live life with a sense of humour.
3. He reminded us to be grateful for the little things in life, to cherish the moments we have with our loved ones, and to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.