The quotations of

L. Frank Baum

American author of children's books

1856–1919

14 quotes, most often on Children, Family and Intelligence.

I believe that dreams — day dreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain machinery whizzing — are likely to lead to the betterment of the world.
Introduction to The Lost Princess of Oz (1917)
- Inspiration
I have learned to regard fame as a will-o-the-wisp which, when caught, is not worth the possession; but to please a child is a sweet and lovely thing that warms one’s heart and brings its own reward.
Personal inscription on a copy of Mother Goose in Prose (1897) which he gave to his sister, Mary Louise Baum Brewster, as quoted in The Making of the Wizard of Oz (1998) by Aljean Harmetz, p. 317
- Children
- Fame
Now we can cross the Shifting Sands.
Last words, to his wife Maud (6 May 1919), as quoted in Uncovering Lives: The Uneasy Alliance of Biography and Psychology (1994) by Alan C. Elms, p. 154
- Life & Death
The Tin Woodman knew very well he had no heart, and therefore he took great care never to be cruel or unkind to anything.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)In context
- Morality
When I was young I longed to write a great novel that should win me fame. Now that I am getting old my first book is written to amuse children.
Personal inscription on a copy of Mother Goose in Prose (1897) which he gave to his sister, Mary Louise Baum Brewster, as quoted in The Making of the Wizard of Oz (1998) by Aljean Harmetz, p. 317
- Age
- Writing
It is a callous age; we have seen so many marvels that we are ashamed to marvel more; the seven wonders of the world have become seven thousand wonders.
“Julius Caesar: An Appreciation of the Hollywood Production” in The Mercury (15 June 1916)
Folklore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed childhood through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), IntroductionIn context
- Children
The imaginative child will become the imaginative man or woman most apt to create, to invent, and therefore to foster civilization.
Introduction to The Lost Princess of Oz (1917)
- Children
Dorothy lived in the midst of the great Kansas prairies, with Uncle Henry, who was a farmer, and Aunt Em, who was the farmer’s wife.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), Chapter IIn context
- Family
There is no place like home.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), Chapter IVIn context
- Family
“All the same,” said the Scarecrow, “I shall ask for brains instead of a heart; for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one.”
“I shall take the heart,” returned the Tin Woodman; “for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.”
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), Chapter VIn context
“Oh, no, my dear; I’m really a very good man; but I’m a very bad Wizard, I must admit.”
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), Chapter XVIn context
- Character
- Comedy
There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. True courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), Chapter XVIn context
- Courage
- Fear
“It must be inconvenient to be made of flesh,” said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully; “for you must sleep, and eat and drink. However, you have brains, and it is worth a lot of bother to be able to think properly.”
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), Chapter VIn context
- Intelligence

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