66 Quotes & Sayings By Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein was an American poet, cartoonist, and writer of children's books. His works include the poetry collections A Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends and more than thirty picture books. He won a 1980 Caldecott Honor medal for Where the Sidewalk Ends.

1
How many slams in an old screen door? Depends how loud you shut it. How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live 'em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give 'em. Shel Silverstein
2
Just Me, Just MeSweet Marie, she loves just me( She also loves Maurice McGhee).No she don't, she loves just me( She also loves Louise Dupree).No she don't, she loves just me( She also loves the willow tree). No she don't, she loves just me! ( Poor, poor fool, why can't you see She can love others and still love thee.) Shel Silverstein
3
MagicSandra’s seen a leprechaun, Eddie touched a troll, Laurie danced with witches once, Charlie found some goblins gold. Donald heard a mermaid sing, Susy spied an elf, But all the magic I have known I've had to make myself. Shel Silverstein
4
EARLY BIRDOh, if you’re a bird, be an early bird And catch the worm for your breakfast plate. If you’re a bird, be an early early bird-- But if you’re a worm, sleep late. Shel Silverstein
5
Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be. Shel Silverstein
All The Woulda-Coulda-ShouldasLayin' In The Sun, Talkin' 'Bout The ThingsThey...
6
All The Woulda-Coulda-ShouldasLayin' In The Sun, Talkin' 'Bout The ThingsThey Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda Done...But All Those Woulda-Coulda-ShouldasAll Ran Away And HidFrom One Little Did. Shel Silverstein
7
If you have to dry the dishes (Such an awful boring chore) If you have to dry the dishes(' Stead of going to the store) If you have to dry the dishes And you drop one on the floor Maybe they won't let you Dry the dishes anymore Shel Silverstein
Anything is possible. Anything can be.
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Anything is possible. Anything can be. Shel Silverstein
9
No DifferenceSmall as a peanut, Big as a giant, We're all the same size When we turn off the light. Rich as a sultan, Poor as a mite, We're all worth the same When we turn off the light. Red, black or orange, Yellow or white, We all look the same When we turn off the light. So maybe the way, To make everything right Is for god to just reach out And turn off the light! Shel Silverstein
If you are a dreamer come in
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If you are a dreamer come in Shel Silverstein
11
The Little Boy and the Old ManSaid the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon." Said the old man, "I do that too." The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants." I do that too, " laughed the little old man. Said the little boy, "I often cry." The old man nodded, "So do I."But worst of all, " said the boy, "it seems Grown-ups don't pay attention to me." And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand. I know what you mean, " said the little old man. Shel Silverstein
12
Why can't you see i'm a kid', said the kid. Why try to make me like you? Why are you hurt when I don't cuddle? Why do you sigh when I splash through a puddle? Why do you scream when I do what I did? Im a kid. Shel Silverstein
The baby bat Screamed out in fright, ' Turn on...
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The baby bat Screamed out in fright, ' Turn on the dark, I'm afraid of the light. Shel Silverstein
14
True story This morning I jumped on my horse And went for a ride, And some wild outlaws chased me And shot me in the side. So I crawled into a wildcats cave To find a place to hide But some pirates found me sleeping there And soon they had me tied To a pole and built a fire Under me--- I almost cried Till a mermaid came and cut me loose And begged to be my bride So I said id come back WednesdayBut I must admit I lied. Then I ran into a jungle swamp But I forgot my guide And I stepped into some quicksand And no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get out, until I met A watersnake named ClydeWho pulled me to some cannibals Who planned to have me fried But an eagle came and swooped me up And through the air we flied But he dropped me in a boiling lake A thousand miles wide And you’ll never guess what I did then--- I DIED . Shel Silverstein
15
I'm making a list I'm making a list of things I must say For politeness, And goodness and kindness and gentleness Sweetness and rightness: Hello Pardon me How are you? Excuse me Bless you May I?Thank you Goodbye If you know some that I've forgot, Please stick them in you eye! Shel Silverstein
My beard grows down to my toes, I never wears...
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My beard grows down to my toes, I never wears no clothes, I wraps my hair Around my bare, And down the road I goes. Shel Silverstein
17
There's a Polar BearIn our Frigidaire--He likes it 'cause it's cold in there. With his seat in the meat And his face in the fish And his big hairy paws In the buttery dish, He's nibbling the noodles, And munching the rice, He's slurping the soda, He's licking the ice. And he lets out a roar If you open the door. And it gives me a scare To know he's in there-- That Polary BearIn our Fridgitydaire. . Shel Silverstein
Rockabye Baby, in the treetop Dont you know a treetopis...
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Rockabye Baby, in the treetop Dont you know a treetopis no safe place to rock? And who put you up there, and your cradle too? Baby, I think someone down herehas got it in for you! Shel Silverstein
19
One picture puzzle piece Lyin' on the sidewalk, One picture puzzle piece Soakin' in the rain. It might be a button of blue On the coat of the woman Who lived in a shoe. It might be a magical bean, Or a fold in the red Velvet robe of a queen. It might be the one little bite Of the apple her stepmother Gave to Snow White.It might be the veil of a bride Or a bottle with some evil genie inside. It might be a small tuft of hair On the big bouncy belly Of Bobo the Bear.It might be a bit of the cloak Of the Witch of the WestAs she melted to smoke. It might be a shadowy trace Of a tear that runs down an angel's face. Nothing has more possibilities Than one old wet picture puzzle piece. . Shel Silverstein
20
If you are a dreamer, come in, If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer... If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire For we have some flax-golden tales to spin. Come in! Come in! Shel Silverstein
21
If you are a dreamer come in If you are a dreamer a wisher a liar A hoper a pray-er a magic-bean-buyer If youre a pretender com sit by my fire For we have some flax golden tales to spin Come in! Come in! Shel Silverstein
22
The bridge will only take you halfway there, to those mysterious lands you long to see. Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fair, and moonlit woods where unicorns run free. So come and walk awhile with me and share the twisting trails and wondrous worlds I've known. But this bridge will only take you halfway there. The last few steps you have to take alone. Shel Silverstein
23
An oak tree and a rosebush grew, Young and green together, Talking the talk of growing things- Wind and water and weather. And while the rosebush sweetly bloomed The oak tree grew so high That now it spoke of newer things- Eagles, mountain peaks and sky." I guess you think you're pretty great, " The rose was heard to cry, Screaming as loud as it possibly could To the treetop in the sky." And now you have no time for flower talk, Now that you've grown so tall."" It's not so much that I've grown, " said the tree, " It's just that you've stayed so small. Shel Silverstein
24
Pirate Captain Jim"Walk the plank, " says Pirate Jim"But Captain Jim, I cannot swim."" Then you must steer us through the gale."" But Captain Jim, I cannot sail."" Then down with the galley slaves you go."" But Captain Jim, I cannot row."" Then you must be the pirate's clerk."" But Captain Jim, I cannot work. Shel Silverstein
25
Birds are flyin' south for winter. Here's the Weird-Bird headin' north, Wings a-flappin', beak a-chatterin', Cold head bobbin' back 'n' forth. He says, "It's not that I like ice Or freezin' winds and snowy ground. It's just sometimes it's kind of nice To be the only bird in town. Shel Silverstein
26
I cannot go to school today" Said little Peggy Ann McKay."I have the measles and the mumps, A gash, a rash and purple bumps. My mouth is wet, my throat is dry. I'm going blind in my right eye. My tonsils are as big as rocks, I've counted sixteen chicken pox. And there's one more - that's seventeen, And don't you think my face looks green? My leg is cut, my eyes are blue, It might be the instamatic flu. I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke, I'm sure that my left leg is broke. My hip hurts when I move my chin, My belly button's caving in. My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained, My 'pendix pains each time it rains. My toes are cold, my toes are numb, I have a sliver in my thumb. My neck is stiff, my voice is weak, I hardly whisper when I speak. My tongue is filling up my mouth, I think my hair is falling out. My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight, My temperature is one-o-eight. My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear, There's a hole inside my ear. I have a hangnail, and my heart is ..What? What's that? What's that you say? You say today is ....... Saturday?G'bye, I'm going out to play! . Shel Silverstein
27
Larry’s such a liar--- He tells outrageous lies. He says he’s ninety-nine years old Instead of only five. He says he lives up on the moon, He says that he once flew. He says he’s really six feet four Instead of three feet two. He says he has a billion dollars‘ Stead of just a dime. He says he rode a dinosaur Back in some distant time. He says his mother is the moon Who taught him magic spells. He says his father is the wind That rings the morning bells. He says he can take stones and rocks And turn them into gold. He says he can take burnin’ fire And turn it freezin’ cold. He said he’d send me seven elves To help me with my chores. But Larry’s such a liar--- He only sent me four. Shel Silverstein
28
The VoiceThere is a voice inside of you That whispers all day long, " I feel this is right for me, I know that this is wrong." No teacher, preacher, parent, friend Or wise man can decide What's right for you--just listen to The voice that speaks inside. Shel Silverstein
She had blue skin, And so did he. He kept...
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She had blue skin, And so did he. He kept it hid And so did she. They searched for blue Their whole life through, Then passed right by- And never knew. Shel Silverstein
30
Each time I see the Upside-Down ManStanding in the water, I look at him and start to laugh, Although I shouldn't oughtter. For maybe in another world Another time Another town, Maybe HE is right side up And I am upside down Shel Silverstein
31
I said, "I'll take the T-bone steak." A soft voice mooed, "Oh wow." And I looked up and realized The waitress was a cow. I cried, "Mistake--forget the the steak. I'll take the chicken then." I heard a cluck--'twas just my luck The busboy was a hen. I said, "Okay no, fowl today. I'll have the seafood dish." Then I saw through the kitchen door The cook--he was a fish. I screamed, "Is there anyone workin' here Who's an onion or a beet? No? Your're sure? Okay then friends, A salad's what I'll eat." They looked at me. "Oh, no, " they said, " The owner is a cabbage head. . Shel Silverstein
32
If you are a dreamer, come in, If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer... If you're a pretender come sit by my fire For we have some flax-golden tales to spin. Come in! Come in! Shel Silverstein
33
I'm Reginald Clark, I'm afraid of the dark So please do not close this book on me. Shel Silverstein
34
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, And if I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my toys will break. So none of the other kids can use 'em....Amen. Shel Silverstein
35
This boat that we just built is just fine - And don't try to tell us it's not The sides and the back are divine - It's the bottom I guess we forgot Shel Silverstein
36
I've discovered a way to stay friends forever - There's really nothing to it. I simply tell you what to do And you do it! Shel Silverstein
37
Thanksgiving dinner's sad and thankless. Christmas dinner's dark and blue. When you stop and try to see it From the turkey's point of view. Sunday dinner isn't sunny. Easter feasts are just bad luck. When you see it from the viewpoint of a chicken or a duck. Oh how I once loved tuna salad Pork and lobsters, lamb chops too Till I stopped and looked at dinner From the dinner's point of view. Shel Silverstein
38
But all the magic I have known I've had to make myself. Shel Silverstein
39
I can be somebody's and still be my own. Shel Silverstein
40
I will not play at tug o' war. I'd rather play at hug o' war, Where everyone hugs Instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles And rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, And everyone grins, And everyone cuddles, And everyone wins. Shel Silverstein
41
Knock! knock! who's there?me! me who?that's right?what's right?meehoo! that's what I want to know! what's what you want to know?me who?yes, exactly! exactly what?yes, I have exactlywatt on a chain! exactly what on a chain?yes! yes what?no, exactlywatt! that's what I want to know! I told you-exactlywatt! exactly what?yes! yes what?yes it's with me.what's with you?exactlywatt-that's what with me.me who?yes! go away! knock knock.. Shel Silverstein
42
TREE HOUSEA tree house, a free house, A secret you and me house, A high up in the leafy branches Cozy as can be house. A street house, a neat house, Be sure to wipe your feet house Is not my kind of house at all- Let's go live in a tree house. Shel Silverstein
43
One sister for sale, One sister for sale, One crying and spying young sister for sale I'm really not kidding so who'll start the bidding Do I hear a dollar? A nickle? A penny? Oh isnt there isnt there isnt there any One person who will buy this sister for sale This crying spying old young sister for sale. Shel Silverstein
44
THE ONE WHO STAYEDYou should have heard the old men cry, You should have heard the biddies When that sad stranger raised his flute And piped away the kiddies. Katy, Tommy, Meg and BobFollowed, skipped gaily, Red-haired Ruth, my brother Rob, And little crippled Bailey, John and Nils and Cousin Claire, Dancin', spinnin', turnin', ' Cross the hills to God knows where- They never came returnin'.' Cross the hills to God knows where The piper pranced, a leadin' Each child in Hamlin Town but me, And I stayed home unheedin'. My papa says that I was blest For if that music found me, I'd be witch-cast like all the rest. This town grows old around me. I cannot say I did not hear That sound so haunting hollow- I heard, I heard, I heard it clear.. I was afraid to follow. Shel Silverstein
45
If you are a dreamer, come sit by my fire. For we have some flax-golden tales to spin; come in! Come in! Shel Silverstein
46
She had blue skin. And so did he. He kept it hid, And so did she. They searched for blue Their whole life through, Then passed right by - And never knew. Shel Silverstein
47
If we meet and I say, "Hi, "That's a salutation. If you ask me how I feel, That's a consideration. If we stop and talk awhile, That's a conversation. If we understand each other, That's communication. If we argue, scream and fight, That's an altercation. If later we apologize, That's a reconciliation. If we help each other home, That's cooperation. And all these ations added up Make civilization.( And if I say this is a wonderful poem, Is that exaggeration?) . Shel Silverstein
48
Standing is stupid, Crawling's a curse, Skipping is silly, Walking is worse. Hopping is hopeless, Jumping's a chore, Sitting is senseless, Leaning's a bore. Running's ridiculous, Jogging's insane- Guess I'll go upstairs and Lie down again. Shel Silverstein
49
I'd rather play tennis than go to the dentist. I'd rather play soccer than go to the doctor. I'd rather play Hurk than go to work. Hurk? Hurk? What's Hurk?I don't know, but it must be better than work. Shel Silverstein
50
We can't find the cat, We don't know where she's at, Oh, where did she go? Does anyone know? Let's ask this walking hat. Shel Silverstein
51
ENTER THIS DESERTED HOUSEBut please walk softly as you do. Frogs dwell here and crickets too. Ain't no ceiling, only blue Jays dwell here and sunbeams too. Floors are flowers - take a few. Ferns grow here and daisies too. Whoosh, swoosh - too-whit, too-woo, Bats dwell here and hoot owls too. Ha-ha-ha, hee-hee, hoo-hoooo, Gnomes dwell here and goblins too. And my child, I thought you knew I dwell here..and so do you. Shel Silverstein
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POOR ANGUSOh what do you do, poor Angus, When hunger makes you cry?" I fix myself an omelet, sir, Of fluffy clouds and sky." Oh what do you wear, poor Angus, When winds blow down the hills?" I sew myself a warm cloak, sir, Of hope and daffodils." Oh who do you love, poor Angus, When Catherine's left the moor?" Ah, then, sir, then's the only time I feel I'm really poor. Shel Silverstein
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And the tree was happy Shel Silverstein
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I was hoping that perhaps I could roll with you..."" You cannot roll with me, " said the Big O, "but perhaps you can roll by yourself. Shel Silverstein
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Ourchestra:So you haven't got a drum, just beat your belly. So I haven't got a horn- I'll play my nose. So we haven't any cymbals- We'll just slap our hands together, And though there may be orchestras That sound a little better With their fancy shiny instruments That cost an awful lot- Hey, we're making music twice as good By playing what we've got! Shel Silverstein
56
William tell, William tell, Take your arrow, grip it well, There’s the apple— — aim for the middle— —Oh well … you just missed by a little. Shel Silverstein
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Make it so good and so clear that it doesn't need any further explanation. Shel Silverstein
58
Do a loony-goony dance 'Cross the kitchen floor, Put something silly in the world That ain't been there before. Shel Silverstein
59
Ol' man Simon, planted a diamond. Grew hisself a garden the likes of none. Sprouts all growin' comin' up glowin' Fruit of jewels all shinin' in the sun. Colors of the rainbow. See the sun and the rain grow sapphires and rubies on ivory vines, Grapes of jade, just ripenin' in the shade, just ready for the squeezin' into green jade wine. Pure gold corn there, Blowin' in the warm air. Ol' crow nibblin' on the amnythyst seeds. In between the diamonds, Ol' man Simon crawls about pullin' out platinum weeds. Pink pearl berries, all you can carry, put 'em in a bushel and haul 'em into town. Up in the tree there's opal nuts and gold pears- Hurry quick, grab a stick and shake some down. Take a silver tater, emerald tomater, fresh plump coral melons. Hangin' in reach. Ol' man Simon, diggin' in his diamonds, stops and rests and dreams about one.. real.. peach. Shel Silverstein
60
RAINI opened my eyes And looked up at the rain. And it dripped in my head And flowed into my brain, And all that I hear as I lie in my bed Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head. I step very softly, I walk very slow, I can’t do a handstand- I might overflow, So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said- I’m just not the same since there’s rain in my head. Shel Silverstein
61
There is a place where the sidewalk ends And before the street begins, And there the grass grows soft and white, And there the sun burns crimson bright, And there the moon-bird rests from his flight To cool in the peppermint wind. Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black And the dark street winds and bends. Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And watch where the chalk-white arrows go To the place where the sidewalk ends. Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go, For the children, they mark, and the children, they know The place where the sidewalk ends. . Shel Silverstein
62
He wasted his wishes on wishing. Shel Silverstein
63
Stand-up comics reflect less of a visual humor and more of a commentary. Shel Silverstein
64
I will not play tug o' war. I'd rather play hug o' war. Where everyone hugs instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles and rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins. Shel Silverstein
65
To me, freedom entitles you to do something, not to not do something. Shel Silverstein