10 Winnie-the-Pooh Quotes to Make Life Better

On January 18, 1882, A.A. Milne, creator of the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, was born in Hampstead, United Kingdom. Thus, January 18 is officially Winnie-the-Pooh Day. As a longtime fan of Winnie-the-Pooh (ever since I can remember I would watch the movie and show with my grandma), I re-read the original story collection and found the pages brimming with insightful quotes and inspirational delights. Here are ten quotes from Pooh and Co. that I found utterly delightful and worth sharing in celebration of this "silly old bear."

If you need a bit of motivation while performing your workout routine, Pooh has the perfect song to help you with your "Stoutness Exercises":

Tra-la-la, tra-la-la,
Tra-la-la, tra-la-la,
Rum-tum-tiddle-um-tum,
Tiddle-iddle, tiddle-iddle,
Tiddle-iddle, tiddle-iddle,
Rum-tum-tum-tiddle-tum.

Isn't it the cutest?

Pooh has a plethora of wisdom to offer for a bear with stuffing for brains, especially in regards to the most important question of the day. 

"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "What's the first thing you say to yourself?"
"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh

I, too, ask such important questions in the early hours of the time.

Piglet also has some life wisdom that we can all benefit from remembering.

Piglet: "It's so much more friendly with two."

Everything is better with a friend by your side. It's touching he has many wonderful friends to choose from.

Despite his gloomy outlook on life, Eeyore has a few reasonable words to contribute.

Eeyore: "Brains first and then Hard Work."

Without brains, the hard work just won't get done. I think we all need to make sure we have our brains in proper order before beginning a task.

Piglet reminds us that sometimes in life all you need is a hand to hold.

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
"Pooh!" he said.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you." 

Doesn't it just melt your heart?

If you're feeling a bit downtrodden because of winter, Eeyore has an interesting perspective on the weather.

"It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily. 
"So it is."
"And freezing."
"Is it?"
"Yes," said Eeyore. "However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately."

Thanks, Eeyore, for looking at the bright side.

If you need a little wisdom about how to treat others, no matter who they are or where they come from, Pooh has the answer for you.

"You can't help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn't spell it right."

Stories meant for children always seem to make simple, everyday things more important and thoughtful.

As a writer and lover of language, Pooh reminds me why I shouldn't get too frustrated when trying to write.

Pooh: "But it isn't easy because Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you."

Truer words have never been spoken. Am I right?

Pooh also understands how it feels to put your thoughts into spoken words.

"Because when you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and you Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed Very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it."

I just love this line because, as an introvert, I highly relate to this moment. Who knew that a children's story simplifying ideas into "Thingish Things" could be so touching?

And the most important quote of all...

Eeyore: "A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference."

Thanks, Eeyore, for you extraordinary wisdom. If only more of us were like you.

If you're looking for more Winnie-the-Pooh fun, here are more ideas to spend your day:

• Watch a Winnie-the-Pooh movie (or the Russian Winnie-the-Pooh episodes)
• Make a trap for Heffalumps
• Eat a smackeral of honey
• Read the original stories by A.A. Milne
• Play Pooh Sticks
• Go on an expedition to the North Pole

And remember:

"Where they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing."

All quotes and pictures from The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, published in 1994 by Dutton Children's Books.