No matter how dreary and gray our homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it ever so beautiful. There is no place like home.

— L. Frank Baum

No thief, however skillful, can rob one of knowledge, and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire.

— L. Frank Baum

Not willingly," admitted the tiger. "But here is the alternative; either you transform yourself into an eye for our child, or I and my dear wife will tear you into shreds.

— L. Frank Baum

Now then, Mr. Crab," said the zebra, "here are the people I told you about; and they know more than you do, who live in a pool, and more than I do, who live in a forest. For they have been travelers all over the world, and know every part of it."" There's more of the world than Oz," declared the crab, in a stubborn voice." That is true," said Dorothy; "but I used to live in Kansas, in the United States, and I've been to California and to Australia--and so has Uncle Henry."" For my part," added the Shaggy Man, "I've been to Mexico and Boston and many other foreign countries."" And I," said the Wizard, "have been to Europe and Ireland."" So you see," continued the zebra, addressing the crab, "here are people of real consequence, who know what they are talking about.

— L. Frank Baum

Oh, if Shakespeare says it, that's all right.

— L. Frank Baum

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!

— L. Frank Baum

People lose a lot of time being afraid... People lose a lot of time in hating others, and there's no fun in it at all.

— L. Frank Baum

People would rather live in homes regardless of its grayness. There is no place like home.

— L. Frank Baum

Perhaps I should admit on the title page that this book is "By L. Frank Baum and his correspondents," for I have used many suggestions conveyed to me in letters from children. Once on a time I really imagined myself "an author of fairy tales," but now I am merely an editor or private secretary for a host of youngsters whose ideas I am requested to weave into the thread of my stories... My, what imaginations these children have developed! Sometimes I am fairly astounded by their daring a genius. There will be no lack of fairy-tale authors in the future, I am sure. My readers have told me what to do with Dorothy, and Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, and I have obeyed their mandates. They have also given me a variety of subjects to write about in the future: enough, in fact, to keep me busy for some time. I am very proud of this alliance. Children love these stories because children have helped to create them. My readers know what they want and realize I try to please them. The result is satisfactory to the publishers, to me, and (I am quite sure) to the children. I hope, my dears, it will be a long time before we are obliged to dissolve partnership.

— L. Frank Baum

Perhaps it is better to be a machine that does its duty than a flesh-and-blood person who will not, for a dead truth is better than a live falsehood.

— L. Frank Baum