Quote#Children
He knew that the best of children were sometimes naughty, and that…
Quote byL. Frank Baum · 1856–1919
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1902).
English (original)
He knew that the best of children were sometimes naughty, and that the naughty ones were often good. It is the way with children, the world over, and he would not have changed their natures had he possessed the power to do so.
— L. Frank Baum
More from L. Frank Baum
It is a callous age; we have seen so many marvels that we are ashamed to marvel more; the seven wonders of the world have become seven thousand wonders.
Some of my youthful readers are developing wonderful imaginations. This pleases me.
I have learned to regard fame as a will-o-the-wisp which, when caught, is not worth the possession; but to please a child is a sweet and lovely thing that warms one's heart and brings its own reward.
Now we can cross the Shifting Sands.
When I was young I longed to write a great novel that should win me fame. Now that I am getting old my first book is written to amuse children.
I believe that dreams — day dreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain machinery whizzing — are likely to lead to the betterment of the world.