Milly old souse yourself! retorted Thingumy and Bob, who were seriously upset by this. Oh! So they are foreigners, thought Sniff. I’d better fetch moominmamma
Tove Jansson - from the book Finn Family Moomintroll
She didn’t come to extinguish the fire, you see, she came to warm herself, poor creature. But everything that’s warm goes cold when she sits down on it. Now she’s disappointed once more.
Tove Jansson - from the book Moominland Midwinter
All around him there were people living slipshod and aimless lives, wherever he looked there was something to be put to rights and he worked his fingers to the bone trying to get them to see how they ought to live
Tove Jansson - from the book Moominvalley in November
Yes, sea-water´s said to be the right thing for carpets, the Fillyjonk replied. The colours never run, and there´s such a lovely smell…
Fillyjonk - from the book Tales from Moominvalley
It is simply this: do not tire, never lose interest, never grow indifferent—lose your invaluable curiosity and you let yourself die. It’s as simple as that.
Tove Jansson, from the book Fair Play
"There’s no need to pretend that you are radiantly beautiful, because you are."
Tove Jansson, from the book Moominsummer Madness
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, from the book The Exploits of Moominpappa