A treasure trove of Moomin book quotes for every moment of life

Whether you seek the warmth of friendship and love, the thrill of adventure, or the endless wisdom of nature, here are hand-picked Moomin book quotes for different occasions and themes of life. Perfect for personalised messages on a card, for everyday inspiration, or just as mood boosters!

In the spirit of Moominvalley, let the echoes of these words bring comfort, joy, and a touch of Moominous magic to your everyday!

Moomin quotes for different themes

Friendship and love

In Moominvalley, friendships blossom like the flowers that adorn Moominmamma’s garden: they all look and feel different, but in all their uniqueness, they are deeply cherished. 

From the friendship of Moomintroll and Snufkin, two kindred spirits always ready for an adventure, to the relationship of Moomintroll and Moominmamma, a bond just as special as any mother and child’s, the camaraderie witnessed in Moominvalley is a testament to what truly matters in life.

Whether you’re looking for a suitable quote for a Valentine’s Day card, Mother’s Day or a special birthday, or you’re just in the mood for some heartwarming content, here are beautiful quotes from the Moomin books around friendship and love.

“Isn’t it fun when one’s friends get exactly what suits them?”
– Moominmamma (Moominsummer Madness, 1954)

“Mother, I love you terribly.”
– Moomintroll (Moominland Midwinter, 1957)

“I would save your life eight times a day if only I could.”
– Snorkmaiden (Comet In Moominland, 1946)

Somebody who eats pancakes and jam can’t be so awfully dangerous. You can talk to him.
(Finn Family Moomintroll, 1948)

“Mammas don’t get lost as easily as all that,” said Little My. “You can always find them in a corner somewhere if you only look.”
(Moominpappa at Sea, 1965)

“Flee!” cried Moominmamma. “The police are here!” She didn’t know what her Moomintroll had done, but she was convinced that she approved of it.’
– Moominmamma (Moominsummer Madness, 1954)

“I don’t want friends who are kind without really liking me and I don’t want anybody who is kind just so as not to be unpleasant. And I don’t want anybody who is scared. I want somebody who is never scared and who really likes me. I want a mamma!”
– Toft (Moominvalley in November, 1970)

“Anyway, if you’re not afraid, I’m not either!”
– Snorkmaiden (Comet in Moominland, 1946)

“There’s no need to imagine that you’re a wondrous beauty, because that’s what you are.”
– Moomintroll (Moominsummer Madness, 1954)

Snufkin continued to scull in silence for a long time. Moomintroll sat looking at the well-known and comforting outline of his old hat against the night sky and the puffs of pipe-smoke rising in the quiet air. “Everything’ll be all right now,” he thought.
– (Moominsummer Madness, 1954)

Happiness and joy

Happiness in Moominvalley comes from everyday moments and the small joys of life. One delightful conversation, good food, a heartwarming family moment, or some colourful flowers are all powerful reminders of life’s simple pleasures.

Whether it’s to brighten up someone’s day or to infuse your own life with some perspective and delight, here are Moomin book quotes about happiness and moments of joy.

“Just think, never to be glad nor disappointed. Never to like anyone and get cross at him and forgive him. Never to sleep or feel cold, never to make a mistake and have a stomachache and be cured from it, never to have a birthday party, drink beer, and have a bad conscience… How terrible.”
– Moominpappa (Tales from Moominvalley, 1962)

“It would be awful if the world exploded. It is so wonderfully splendid.”
– Snufkin (Comet in Moominland, 1946)

“Stars are my favourite things. I always lie and look at them before I go to sleep and wonder who is on them and how one could get there. The sky looks so friendly with all those little eyes twinkling in it.”
– Snufkin (Comet in Moominland, 1946)

“The main thing in life is to know your own mind.”
– Snufkin (Moominsummer Madness, 1954)

“Isn’t life exciting! Everything can change all of a sudden, and for no reason at all!”
– Moomintroll (Moominpappa at Sea, 1965)

Adventure and curiosity

The Moomin stories are never short of adventure! Moomintroll is known to be brave and keen to make friends everywhere, excited to explore the world – and he got that from his father. Even though Moominpappa often enjoys his hammock and a glass of whiskey, his adventure-filled youth and endless curiosity towards the world carry through in many of the beloved Moomin books.

Find inspiration to live life more courageously with these Moomin book quotes, or delight a loved one with a quote on a card for their graduation, or perhaps when they’re embarking on a long trip!

“The world is full of great and wonderful things for those who are ready for them.”
– Moominpappa (Moominpappa at Sea, 1965)

Snufkin was a calm person who knew an immense lot of things but never talked about them unnecessarily. Only now and again he told a little about his travels, and that made one rather proud, as if Snufkin had made one a member of a secret society.
(Moominsummer Madness, 1954)

It’s the right evening for a tune, Snufkin thought. A new tune, one part expectation, two parts spring sadness, and for the rest, just the great delight of walking alone and liking it.
(Tales from Moominvalley, 1962)

“I must find out all I can about the sea. Jetties and paths and fishing are for small-minded people who don’t care about the really big things.”
– Moominpappa (Moominpappa at Sea, 1965)

“Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”
– Little My (Tales from Moominvalley, 1962) 

“There’s a lot of things one can’t understand,” Moominmamma said to herself. “But why should everything be exactly as one is used to having it.”
– Moominmamma (Moominsummer Madness, 1954) 

Courage and resilience

There is something in the Moomin books that still makes them comforting for readers, decades after they were written. From climate change to pandemics and war, Tove Jansson’s literature is often recommended as comfort reading during modern-day crises.

Many of the events are far from soothing, but it’s the lessons in courage, and how the Moomins and their friends take on uncertainties, that make readers return to the stories time and time again. 

Delve into inspiring narratives in these Moomin book quotes about courage and resilience.

“Everything looks worse in the dark, you know.”
– Moominmamma (The Moomins and the Great Flood, 1945)

The staircase wound downwards, down, down, down, grey and fragile like the skeleton of some prehistoric animal, and was lost in the darkness at the bottom. With every step he took, the shadows danced on the walls all round him. It was much too beautiful to think of being frightened.
(Moominpappa at Sea, 1965)

“For if you’re not afraid how can you really be brave?”
– Moominpappa (The Exploits of Moominpappa, 1950)

“I knew nothing, but I believed a lot.”
– Moominpappa (The Exploits of Moominpappa,1950)

All small animals are not afraid.
(The Exploits of Moominpappa, 1950)

“All things are so very uncertain, and that’s exactly what makes me feel reassured.”
– Too-Ticky (Moominland Midwinter, 1957)

“One has to discover everything for oneself. And get over it all alone.”
– Snufkin (Moominland Midwinter, 1957)

“I used to stand before the mirror and look deep in my unhappy eyes and heave sighs such as: ‘Oh cruel fate!’ ‘Oh terrible lot’ ‘Nevermore.’ And in a few minutes I felt a little bit better.”
– Moominpappa (The Exploits of Moominpappa)

Celebration and togetherness

Parties were a big thing in Tove Jansson’s life; music and dancing were great ways to escape the somber reality of the world at the time. Freedom, celebration, and togetherness as a way of life also made their way into the Moomin stories.

From picnics and garden parties to Midsummer celebrations and family gatherings, let the Moomin stories teach you about the spirit of festivity and togetherness!

It was a really lavish, grand and sumptuous garden party. At dusk, coloured lanterns were lighted all over the Garden of Surprises, and everybody played or danced or sang and forgot all about morning.
(The Exploits of Moominpappa, 1950)

“First you must turn seven times around yourself, mumbling a little and stamping your feet. Then you go backwards to a well, and turn around, and look down in it. And then, down in the water, you’ll see the person you’re going to marry!”
– Snorkmaiden (Moominsummer Madness, 1954)

“There’s danger in the air,” Moominmamma shouted back. “If we don’t go for a picnic this very instant, anything might happen to us!”
(Moominpappa at Sea, 1965)

“Do you want a little of each medicine or only one kind?” Fillyjonk asked. “None at all,” Grandpa-Grumble answered, and fell back among the cushions with a sigh. “Don’t ever again mention things I don’t like to hear. And I shan’t get really well before I’ve been given a party…”
(Moominvalley in November, 1970)

Nature and seasons

The Moomins live not surrounded by nature, but together with it. The Moomin books are filled with beautiful descriptions of Moominvalley’s surroundings, its creatures and the different seasons of the year.

Here are links to more Moomin book quotes around the themes of nature and seasons of the year:

❄️ Winter quotes

🌱 Spring quotes

🌼 Summer quotes

🍂 Autumn quotes

🌧️ Quotes for rainy days

Every season, amidst life’s challenges, big and small, the Moomin stories can remind us of the enduring power of friendship, the excitement of adventures, the strength in resilience, the joy of coming together and the beauty of nature.

Whether you’re penning a card, seeking inspiration, or simply indulging in the comfort of the Moomin stories, let the pages of Moomin books brighten your journey.