Quotes by Carlo Collodi

“Today at school I will learn to read at once; then tomorrow I will begin to write, and the day after tomorrow to cipher. Then with my acquirements I will earn a great deal of money, and with the first money I have in my pocket I will immediately buy for my papa a beautiful new cloth coat. But what am I saying? 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 to have me taught he has remained in his shirt sleeves... And in this cold! It is only fathers who are capable of such sacrifices!...””

“Would it be possible to find a more ungrateful boy, or one with less heart than I have!””

“Lies, my dear boy, can easily be recognized. There are two kind of them: those with short legs, and those with long noses. Your kind have long noses.””

“In the Land of Toys, every day, except Sunday, is a Saturday. Vacation begins on the first of January and ends on the last day of December. That is the place for me! All countries should be like it! How happy we should all be!””

“After they had gone another mile, Pinocchio heard the same little low voice saying to him:'Bear it in mind, simpleton! Boys who refuse to study, and turn their backs upon books, schools, and masters, to pass their time in play and amusements, sooner or later come to a bad end... I know it by experience... and I can tell you. A day will come when you will weep as I am weeping now... but then it will be too late!...'On hearing these words whispered very softly, the puppet, more frightened than ever, sprang down from the back of his donkey and went and took hold of his mouth.Imagine his surprise when he found that the donkey was crying... and he was crying like a boy!””

“Are you not afraid of death?'I am not in the least afraid!... I would rather die than drink that bitter medicine.'At that moment the door of the room flew open, and four rabbits as black as ink entered carrying on their shoulders a little bier.What do you want with me?' cried Pinocchio, sitting up in bed in a great fright.We are come to take you,' said the biggest rabbit.To take me?... But I am not yet dead!...'No, not yet: but you have only a few minutes to live, as you have refused the medicine that would have cured you of the fever.'Oh, Fairy, Fairy!' the puppet then began to scream, 'give me the tumbler at once... be quick, for pity's sake, for I will not die--no... I will not die....””

“Let me tell you that every man, whether he is born rich or poor, is obliged to do something in this world”

“Don't trust to those who promise to make you rich in a day. Usually they are either mad or rogues!””

“When the dead person cries, it is a sign that he is on the road to get well,’ said the Crow solemnly.””

“How it happened that Mastro Cherry, carpenter, found a piece of wood that wept and laughed like a child. Centuries ago there lived -- "A king!" my little readers will say immediately. No, children, you are mistaken. Once upon a time there was a piece of wood.””

“Insegui ciò che ami o finirai per amare ciò che trovi.””

“If only sugar were medicine! I should take it every day.””

“Where are the gold pieces now?' the Fairy asked. 'I lost them,' answered Pinocchio, but he told a lie, for he had them in his pocket. As he spoke, his nose, long though it was, became at least two inches longer.””

“On hearing himself called Polendina for the third time, Geppetto lost his head with rage and threw himself upon the carpenter. Then and there they gave each other a sound thrashing.After this fight, Mastro Antonio had two more scratches on his nose, and Geppetto had two buttons missing from his coat. Thus having settled their accounts, they shook hands and swore to be good friends for the rest of their lives.””