Quotes from Diana Wynne Jones

And indeed if you think you're a genius at something, what you achieve is very much according to your expectations; if you think you're no good, you're not going to get anywhere.

Sorry, I've had enough of running away, Sophie. Now I've got something I want to protect. It's you.

...if the spell was off, I'd have my heart eaten before I could turn around." "Don't you want your heart eaten?" asked the fire. [...] "Naturally I don't," Sophie answered.

I think one of things is that all fantasy it seems to me works the way your brain basically works. This is perhaps a startling concept, but I think it's true.

Mainly as sort of blueprints for dealing with most of the adults in their lives, to some extent with their fellows. It is this notion of aiming high and there's always hope, aim low and you might as well stop now.

I mean one of the things about being alone is that you've no people to define yourself off, I mean, people are like all-round mirrors, because let's face it, we don't often see ourselves all round in a mirror anyway, do we.

I've often noticed" Fiona said, "that when people say, 'This can't happen in this day and age', they say it because it is happening.

I do feel very strongly that this is one of the things which people need encouragement to sort out, because I have this very strong feeling that everybody is probably a genius at something, it's just a question of finding this.

A fickle heart is the only constant in this world

Howl's voice was presently heard shouting weakly, "Help me, someone! I'm dying from neglect up here!

Interesting things did seem to happen, but always to somebody else.

Look. Survey. Inspect. My hair is ruined! I look like a pan of bacon and eggs!

Only thin, weak thinkers despise fairy stories. Each one has a true, strange fact hidden in it, you know, which you can find if you look.

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.

If you take myth and folklore, and these things that speak in symbols, they can be interpreted in so many ways that although the actual image is clear enough, the interpretation is infinitely blurred, a sort of enormous rainbow of every possible colour you could imagine.

Tell me about this Wizard Howl of yours. He's the best wizard in Ingary or anywhere else. If he'd only had time, he would have defeated that djinn. And he's sly and selfish and vain as a peacock and cowardly, and you can't pin him down to anything. Indeed? Strange that you should speak so proudly such a list of vices, most loving of ladies. What do you mean, vices? I was just describing Howl. He comes from another world entirely, you know, called Wales, and I refuse to believe he's dead!

Being a hero means ignoring how silly you feel.

Tantrums are seldom about the thing they appear to be about.

She was remorseless, but she lacked method.

Wizard Howl, said Wizard Suliman. I must apologize for trying to bite you so often. In the normal way, I wouldn't dream of setting teeth in a fellow countryman.

Howl said to Sophie, I've been wondering all along if you would turn out to be that lovely girl I met on May Day. Why were you scared then?

You are a terror, aren't you? Leave this yard alone. I know just where everything is in it, and I won't be able to find the things I need for my transport spells if you tidy them up.' So there was probably a bundle of souls or a box of chewed hearts somewhere out here, Sophie thought. She felt really thwarted. 'Tidying up is what I'm here for!' she shouted at Howl. 'Then you must think of a new meaning for your life,' Howl said.

Nobody can buy a hat without gossiping.

What a strange family you are! Is your name Lettie too?