Again came that ringing crow, and Peter dropped in front of them. "Greeting, boys," he cried, and mechanically they saluted, and then again was silence. He frowned." I am back," he said hotly, "why do you not cheer?

— J.M. Barrie

All children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs Darling put her hand to her heart and cried, ‘Oh, why can’t you remain like this forever!’ This was all that passed between them on the subject, but henceforth Wendy knew that she must grow up. You always know after you are two. Two is the beginning of the end.

— J.M. Barrie

All her tormenting of me turned suddenly into sweetness, and who could torment like this exquisite fury, wondering in sudden flame why she could give herself to anyone, while I wondered only why she could give herself to me. It may be that I wondered over-much. Perhaps that was why I lost her.

— J.M. Barrie

All remember about my mother," Nibs told them, "is that she often said to my father, 'Oh, how I wish I had a cheese-book of my own!' I don't know what a cheese-book is, but I should just love to give my mother one.

— J.M. Barrie

All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.

— J.M. Barrie

Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary.

— J.M. Barrie

Ambition: it is the last infirmity of noble minds.

— J.M. Barrie

...and as she was crossing to the day-nursery he added thoughtlessly, 'And shut that window. I feel a draft.' 'O George, never ask me to do that. The window must always be left open for them, always, always.

— J.M. Barrie

A safe but sometimes chilly way of recalling the past is to force open a crammed drawer. If you are searching for anything in particular you don't find it, but something falls out at the back that is often more interesting.

— J.M. Barrie

A strange smile was playing about his face, and Wendy saw it and shuddered. While that smile was on his face no one dared address him; all they could do was to stand ready to obey.

— J.M. Barrie