Quotes From "Howls Moving Castle" By Diana Wynne Jones

Really, these wizards! You'd think no one had ever had a cold before! Well, what is it?" she asked, hobbling through the bedroom door onto the filthy carpet." I'm dying of boredom, " Howl said pathetically. "Or maybe just dying. Diana Wynne Jones

So you were going to rescue the Prince! Why did you pretend to run away? To deceive the Witch?""Not likely! I'm a coward. Only way I can do something this frightening is to tell myself I'm not doing it! Diana Wynne Jones

Nothing is safe from you. If I were to court a girl who lived on an iceberg in the middle of the ocean, sooner or later– probably sooner– I’d look up to see you swooping overhead on a broomstick. In fact, by now I’d be disappointed in you if I didn’t see you.” “Are you off to the iceberg today?” Sophie retorted. Diana Wynne Jones

I think we ought to live happily ever after, " and she thought he meant it. Sophie knew that living happily ever after with Howl would be a good deal more hair-raising than any storybook made it sound, though she was determined to try. "It should be hair-raising, " added Howl. "And you'll exploit me, " Sophie said." And then you'll cut up all my suits to teach me. Diana Wynne Jones

I only want to catch you, ” Michael explained. “I won’t hurt you.” “No! No! ” the star crackled desperately. “That’s wrong! I’m supposed to die! ” “But I could save you if you’d let me catch you, ” Michael told it gently.“ No! ” cried the star. “I’d rather die! Diana Wynne Jones

Annoyed?” said Sophie. “Why should I be annoyed? Someone only filled the castle with rotten aspic, and deafened everyone in Porthaven, and scared Calcifer to a cinder, and broke a few hundred hearts. Why should that annoy me? Diana Wynne Jones

Tantrums are seldom about the thing they appear to be about. Diana Wynne Jones

Howl pointed a shaky hand up toward the canopy of his bed. “That’s why I love spiders. ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try, again.’ I keep trying, ” he said with great sadness. “But I brought it on myself by making a bargain some years ago, and I know I shall never be able to love anyone properly now.” The water running out of Howl’s eyes was definitely tears now. Diana Wynne Jones

He gave Sophie the smile which had no doubt charmed the Witch of the Waste and possibly Lettie too, firing it along the fork, across the cream, straight into Sophie’s eyes, dazzlingly. “If you can bully Calcifer, the King should give you no trouble at all.” Sophie stared through the dazzle and said nothing. This, she thought, was where she slithered out. She was leaving. It was too bad about Calcifer’s contract. She had had enough of Howl. First green slime, then glaring at her for something Calcifer had done quite freely, and now this! Tomorrow she would slip off to Upper Folding and tell Lettie all about it. . Diana Wynne Jones

Is something the matter?” Calcifer asked. “Yes. My heart. There was a scarecrow at the door! ” Sophie gasped. “What has a scarecrow to do with your heart?” Calcifer asked. “It was trying to get in here. It gave me a terrible fright. And my heart–but you wouldn’t understand, you silly young demon! ” Sophie panted. “You haven’t got a heart.” “Yes I have, ” Calcifer said, as proudly as he had revealed his arm. “Down in the glowing part under the logs. And don’t call me young. I’m a good million years older than you are! Can I reduce the speed of the castle now? . Diana Wynne Jones

He held out his hand to Sophie, just like Mrs. Pentstemmon, but a little less royally. Sophie levered herself up, wondering if she was meant to kiss this hand or not. But since she felt more like raising her stick and beating the King over the head with it, she shook the King's hand and gave a creaking little curtsy. Diana Wynne Jones

Some people are thoroughly self-centred. This thing goes with me. I need it for moral support. Diana Wynne Jones

The demon at length fell to singing a gentle, flickering little song. It was not in any language Sophie knew - or she thought not, until she distinctly heard the word "saucepan" in it several times... Diana Wynne Jones

I'm going to bed, where I may die. Diana Wynne Jones

Nobody can buy a hat without gossiping. Diana Wynne Jones