The Adventures of Pinocchio quotes
The lines readers remember from The Adventures of Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi.
37 quotes · About the book
Standout lines
Do not throw it away; in this world everything may be of use.
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“
Do not throw it away; in this world everything may be of use.
”
To my belief the puppet is already quite dead; but, if unfortunately he should not be dead, then it would be a sign that he is still alive!
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“
To my belief the puppet is already quite dead; but, if unfortunately he should not be dead, then it would be a sign that he is still alive!
”
Hunger, my boy, is not a good reason for appropriating what does not belong to us.
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“
Hunger, my boy, is not a good reason for appropriating what does not belong to us.
”
Keep it in mind that it is never too late to learn and to instruct ourselves.
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“No, sir.
Keep it in mind that it is never too late to learn and to instruct ourselves.
”
Unfortunately in the lives of puppets there is always a “but” that spoils everything.
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The Fairy had prepared two hundred cups of coffee and milk, and four hundred rolls cut and buttered on each side. The day promised to be most happy and delightful, but—
Unfortunately in the lives of puppets there is always a “but” that spoils everything.
In the midst of continual games and every variety of amusement, the hours, the days and the weeks passed like lightning.
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Where could happier or more contented boys be found?
In the midst of continual games and every variety of amusement, the hours, the days and the weeks passed like lightning.
“Oh, what a delightful life!” said Pinocchio, whenever by chance he met Candlewick.
All quotes
Jump to a chapter
- II: Master Cherry Gives the Wood Away
- III: Geppetto Names His Puppet Pinocchio
- IV: The Talking Cricket Scolds Pinocchio
- VII: Geppetto Gives His Own Breakfast to Pinocchio
- VIII: Geppetto Makes Pinocchio New Feet
- IX: Pinocchio Goes to See a Puppet Show
- XI: Fire-Eater Sneezes and Pardons Pinocchio
- XII: Pinocchio Receives a Present of Five Gold Pieces
- XIII: The Inn of the Red Crawfish
- XIV: Pinocchio Falls Amongst Assassins
- XVI: The Beautiful Child Rescues the Puppet
- XVII: Pinocchio Will Not Take His Medicine
- XIX: Pinocchio Is Robbed of His Money
- XXI: Pinocchio Acts as Watch Dog
- XXII: Pinocchio Discovers the Robbers
- XXIII: Pinocchio Flies to the Seashore
- XXV: Pinocchio Promises the Fairy to Be Good
- XXVII: Pinocchio Is Arrested by the Gendarmes
- XXVIII: Pinocchio Escapes Being Fried Like a Fish
- XXIX: He Returns to the Fairy’s House
- XXX: The “Land of Boobies”
- XXXI: Pinocchio Enjoys Five Months of Happiness
- XXXII: Pinocchio Turns Into a Donkey
- XXXIV: Pinocchio Is Swallowed by the Dog Fish
- XXXVI: Pinocchio at Last Ceases to Be a Puppet and Becomes a Boy
II: Master Cherry Gives the Wood Away
I am teaching the alphabet to the ants.
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“
I am teaching the alphabet to the ants.
”
III: Geppetto Names His Puppet Pinocchio
The richest of them was a beggar.
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“I think I will call him Pinocchio. It is a name that will bring him luck. I once knew a whole family so called. There was Pinocchio the father, Pinocchia the mother, and Pinocchi the children, and all of them did well.
The richest of them was a beggar.
”
In his hurry to model him he had forgotten to make any ears.
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Wishing to punish him, Geppetto intended to pull his ears at once. But imagine his feelings when he could not succeed in finding them. And do you know the reason?
In his hurry to model him he had forgotten to make any ears.
He then took him by the collar and as he was leading him away he said to him, shaking his head threateningly:
IV: The Talking Cricket Scolds Pinocchio
Because you are a puppet and, what is worse, because you have a wooden head.
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“
Because you are a puppet and, what is worse, because you have a wooden head.
”
VII: Geppetto Gives His Own Breakfast to Pinocchio
Do not throw it away; in this world everything may be of use.
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“
Do not throw it away; in this world everything may be of use.
”
VIII: Geppetto Makes Pinocchio New Feet
Because I found it too hot.
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“
Because I found it too hot.
”
IX: Pinocchio Goes to See a Puppet Show
It is only fathers who are capable of such sacrifices!
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Cloth, indeed! It shall be all made of gold and silver, and it shall have diamond buttons. That poor man really deserves it, for to buy me books and have me taught he has remained in his shirtsleeves. And in this cold!
It is only fathers who are capable of such sacrifices!
”
And to think that poor Geppetto had remained at home trembling with cold in his shirtsleeves in order that his son should have a spelling-book.
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And the book was sold there and then.
And to think that poor Geppetto had remained at home trembling with cold in his shirtsleeves in order that his son should have a spelling-book.
XI: Fire-Eater Sneezes and Pardons Pinocchio
Most men, when they feel compassion for somebody, either weep or at least pretend to dry their eyes. Fire-Eater, on the contrary, whenever he was really overcome, had the habit of sneezing.
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“Good news, brother. The showman has sneezed and that is a sign that he pities you, and consequently you are saved.”
Most men, when they feel compassion for somebody, either weep or at least pretend to dry their eyes. Fire-Eater, on the contrary, whenever he was really overcome, had the habit of sneezing.
After he had sneezed, the showman, still acting the ruffian, shouted to Pinocchio:
XII: Pinocchio Receives a Present of Five Gold Pieces
Poor Blackbird! If only he had not spoken!
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“Pinocchio, don’t listen to the advice of bad companions; if you do you will repent it!”
Poor Blackbird! If only he had not spoken!
The Cat, with a great leap, sprang upon him, and without even giving him time to say “Oh!” ate him in a mouthful, feathers and all.
XIII: The Inn of the Red Crawfish
Don’t trust to those who promise to make you rich in a day. Usually they are either mad or rogues!
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“
Don’t trust to those who promise to make you rich in a day. Usually they are either mad or rogues!
Give ear to me, and go back, my boy.”
XIV: Pinocchio Falls Amongst Assassins
I think that assassins have been invented purposely by papas to frighten boys who want to go out at night.
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I am even to meet with assassins! That is, however, of little consequence, for I don’t believe in assassins—I have never believed in them. For me,
I think that assassins have been invented purposely by papas to frighten boys who want to go out at night.
Besides, supposing I was to come across them here in the road, do you imagine they would frighten me? Not the least in the world. I should go to meet them and cry: ‘Gentlemen assassins, what do you want with me?
XVI: The Beautiful Child Rescues the Puppet
To my belief the puppet is already quite dead; but, if unfortunately he should not be dead, then it would be a sign that he is still alive!
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“
To my belief the puppet is already quite dead; but, if unfortunately he should not be dead, then it would be a sign that he is still alive!
”
In my opinion, the wisest thing a prudent doctor can do, when he does not know what he is talking about, is to be silent.
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“
In my opinion, the wisest thing a prudent doctor can do, when he does not know what he is talking about, is to be silent.
For the rest, that puppet there has a face that is not new to me. I have known him for some time!”
XVII: Pinocchio Will Not Take His Medicine
We are more afraid of medicine than of the illness.
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“Because you see that we boys are all like that!
We are more afraid of medicine than of the illness.
”
There are lies that have short legs, and lies that have long noses.
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“Lies, my dear boy, are found out immediately, because they are of two sorts.
There are lies that have short legs, and lies that have long noses.
Your lie, as it happens, is one of those that have a long nose.”
XIX: Pinocchio Is Robbed of His Money
I am laughing at those simpletons who believe in all the foolish things that are told them, and who allow themselves to be entrapped by those who are more cunning than they are.
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“
I am laughing at those simpletons who believe in all the foolish things that are told them, and who allow themselves to be entrapped by those who are more cunning than they are.
”
XXI: Pinocchio Acts as Watch Dog
Hunger, my boy, is not a good reason for appropriating what does not belong to us.
Show the passage
“
Hunger, my boy, is not a good reason for appropriating what does not belong to us.
”
XXII: Pinocchio Discovers the Robbers
What is the good of accusing the dead? The dead are dead, and the best thing to be done is to leave them in peace!
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“
What is the good of accusing the dead? The dead are dead, and the best thing to be done is to leave them in peace!
”
XXIII: Pinocchio Flies to the Seashore
Hunger knows neither caprice nor greediness.
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“Be assured, my boy,” replied the Pigeon, “that when hunger is real, and there is nothing else to eat, even vetch becomes delicious.
Hunger knows neither caprice nor greediness.
”
XXV: Pinocchio Promises the Fairy to Be Good
They are born puppets, live puppets, and die puppets.
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“Because puppets never grow.
They are born puppets, live puppets, and die puppets.
”
Keep it in mind that it is never too late to learn and to instruct ourselves.
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“No, sir.
Keep it in mind that it is never too late to learn and to instruct ourselves.
”
Sloth is a dreadful illness and must be cured at once, in childhood.
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Let me tell you that every man, whether he is born rich or poor, is obliged to do something in this world—to occupy himself, to work. Woe to those who lead slothful lives.
Sloth is a dreadful illness and must be cured at once, in childhood.
If not, when we are old it can never be cured.”
XXVII: Pinocchio Is Arrested by the Gendarmes
Because boys who study make those who, like us, have no wish to learn, seem worse by comparison. And that is too bad.
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“
Because boys who study make those who, like us, have no wish to learn, seem worse by comparison. And that is too bad.
We, too, have our pride!”
XXVIII: Pinocchio Escapes Being Fried Like a Fish
You have done me a great service, and in this world what is given is returned.
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“Goodbye, Pinocchio,” answered the dog; “a thousand thanks for having saved my life.
You have done me a great service, and in this world what is given is returned.
If an occasion offers I shall not forget it.”
It is always consolation to be fried in company.
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It is not every day, I assure you, that a puppet fish is caught in these waters. Leave it to me. I will fry you in the frying-pan with the other fish, and you will be quite satisfied.
It is always consolation to be fried in company.
”
XXIX: He Returns to the Fairy’s House
If you had arrived a second later I should by this time have been fried, eaten and digested.
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“Do not mention it!” groaned Pinocchio, who was still trembling with fright. “Do not mention it!
If you had arrived a second later I should by this time have been fried, eaten and digested.
Brrr! It makes me shudder only to think of it!”
I am a snail, and snails are never in a hurry.
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“My boy,” answered the calm little animal—“my boy,
I am a snail, and snails are never in a hurry.
”
Unfortunately in the lives of puppets there is always a “but” that spoils everything.
Show the passage
The Fairy had prepared two hundred cups of coffee and milk, and four hundred rolls cut and buttered on each side. The day promised to be most happy and delightful, but—
Unfortunately in the lives of puppets there is always a “but” that spoils everything.
XXX: The “Land of Boobies”
I must have patience! I will let her scold. When she has scolded well she will hold her tongue.
Show the passage
“
I must have patience! I will let her scold. When she has scolded well she will hold her tongue.
”
XXXI: Pinocchio Enjoys Five Months of Happiness
In the midst of continual games and every variety of amusement, the hours, the days and the weeks passed like lightning.
Show the passage
Where could happier or more contented boys be found?
In the midst of continual games and every variety of amusement, the hours, the days and the weeks passed like lightning.
“Oh, what a delightful life!” said Pinocchio, whenever by chance he met Candlewick.
XXXII: Pinocchio Turns Into a Donkey
I am a puppet with no sense, and with no heart.
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“Why? Because, my dear little Marmot,
I am a puppet with no sense, and with no heart.
Ah! if I had had the least heart I should never have left that good Fairy who loved me like a mamma, and who had done so much for me!
XXXIV: Pinocchio Is Swallowed by the Dog Fish
The sea makes extraordinary changes.
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“It must have been the effect of sea water.
The sea makes extraordinary changes.
”
Don’t despair, master. There are such a number of little donkeys in the world!
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“
Don’t despair, master. There are such a number of little donkeys in the world!
”
I should never have thought that fish were greedier than boys!
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Well, then, the good Fairy, as soon as she saw that I was in danger of drowning, sent immediately an immense shoal of fish, who, believing me really to be a little dead donkey, began to eat me. And what mouthfuls they took;
I should never have thought that fish were greedier than boys!
Some ate my ears, some my muzzle, others my neck and mane, some the skin of my legs, some my coat. Amongst them there was a little fish so polite that he even condescended to eat my tail.”
XXXVI: Pinocchio at Last Ceases to Be a Puppet and Becomes a Boy
You must know that I am like a cat: I see better by night than by day.
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“But I see the shore as well,” said the puppet. “
You must know that I am like a cat: I see better by night than by day.
”
If you are poor, you deserve it. Recollect the proverb: ‘Stolen money never fructifies.’
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“
If you are poor, you deserve it. Recollect the proverb: ‘Stolen money never fructifies.’
Begone, impostors!”
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