Happy birthday, Roald Dahl! The author of the beloved children's books, "Matilda," "James and the Giant Peach," and "The BFG" was born on this day in 1916. He's also known for his adult books - mystery novels with more mature plot lines - and for his service in the British Royal Air Force during World War II.
It's safe to say that between all he's accomplished, and all he's experienced, Dahl's books and personal pearls of wisdom are an excellent source of wisdom and inspiration. Here are 12 of the most fantastic quotes from the author:
"A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul, and that, I am sure, is why he does it."
"Matilda said, 'Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it's unbelievable...'" - from "Matilda"
"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."
"You should never, never doubt something that no one is sure of."
"I think I have this thing where everybody has to think I'm the greatest. And if they aren't completely knocked out and dazzled and slightly intimidated by me, I don't feel good about myself." - from "Fantastic Mr. Fox"
“It doesn't matter who you are or what you look like, so long as somebody loves you.” - from "The Witches"
"So Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone." - from "Matilda"
"If you are good life is good." - from "Matilda"
“It is most unlikely. But - here comes the big 'but' - not impossible." - from "The Witches"
"If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be."