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Robert Fulghum Quotes

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Robert Fulghum, born on June 4, 1937, is an American author known for his warm, humorous, and insightful writing. His book 'All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten' has become a bestseller and influenced many readers.

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All Knows Ifs Thinking Needs People World Way May Stills Life Long Want Believe Coping Mechanisms Heart Imagination Wells Hands Life Is Matter

Famous Robert Fulghum Quotes

“I wanted to be a citizen of the world but not in a superficial way.”

World Way Wanted Citizens Superficial

Author:Robert Fulghum

“Sometimes, when asked the what-do-you-do question, it occurs to me to say that I work for the government. I have a government job, essential to national security. I AM A CITIZEN. Like the Supreme Court judges, my job is for life, and the well-being of my country depends on me. It seems fair to think that I should be held accountable for my record in the same way I expect accountability from those who seek elected office. I would like to be able to say that I can stand on my record and am proud of it.”

“I do not want to know what you will hope for. I want to know what you will work for. I do not want your sympathy for the needs of humanity. I want your muscle. As the wagon driver said when they came to a long, hard hill: ‘Them that’s going on with us, get out and push. Them that ain’t, get out of the way’.”

Knows Way Want Needs Long Said Hard Humanity Hills Muscles Drivers Wagons

Author:Robert Fulghum

“Is it always to be a winners-losers world, or can we keep everyone in the game? Do we still have what it takes to find a better way?”

World Way Stills Games Harmony Winner Loser Better Ways

Book:Maybe (Maybe Not): Second Thoughts from a Secret Life

Source: Maybe (Maybe Not): Second Thoughts from a Secret Life

“Just when you thought that you already learned the way how to live, life changes - and you're left the same as you begun.”

Way Left Live Life Life Changing How To Live Life

Author:Robert Fulghum

“And sure, I know if you eat this way you'll die. So? If you don't eat this way you're still going to die. Why not die happy?”

Ifs Knows Way Stills Dies Why Not

Book:All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things

Source: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things

“Instructions For Wayfarers They will declare: Every journey has been taken. You shall respond: I have not been to see myself. They will insist: Everything has been spoken. You shall reply: I have not had my say. They will tell you: Everything has been done. You shall reply: My way is not complete. You are warned: Any way is long, any way is hard. Fear not. You are the gate - you, the gatekeeper. And you shall go through and on . . . —Alexandros Evangelou Xenopouloudakis, THIRD WISH”

Way Long Has Beens Hard Done Wish Taken Journey Thirds My Way Gates Instruction Fear Not Gatekeepers

Author:Robert Fulghum

“Love the battle between chaos and imagination. Remember: Acting is living truthfully in imaginary circumstances. Remember: Acting is the way to live the greatest number of lives. Remember: Acting is the same as real life, lived intentionally. Never forget: The Fruit is out on the end of the limb. Go there.”

Way Life Real Ends Remember Imagination Forget Numbers Acting Circumstances Battle Fruit Chaos Real Life Never Forget Imaginary Limbs Way To Live

Author:Robert Fulghum

“I love this child. Red-haired - patient and gentle like her mother - fey and funny like her father. When she giggles I can hear him when he and I were young. I am part of this child. It may be only because we share genes and that therefore smell familiar to each other.... It may be that a part of me lives in her in some important way.... But for now, it's jelly beans and 'Old MacDonald' that unite us.”

“To look this way is to see. To see is to have vision. To have vision is to understand. To understand is to know. To know is to become. To become is to live fully. To live fully is to matter. And to matter is to become light. And to become light is to be loved. And to be loved is to burn. And to burn is to exist. Off and on.”

Knows Way Love Looks Matter Light Understanding Vision

Book:Uh-Oh: Some Observations from Both Sides of the Refrigerator Door

Source: Uh-Oh: Some Observations from Both Sides of the Refrigerator Door

“Life is. I am. Anything might happen. And I believe I may invest my life with meaning. The uncertainty is a blessing in disguise. If I were absolutely certain about all things, I would spend my life in anxious misery, fearful of losing my way. But since everything and anything are always possible, the miraculous is always nearby and wonders shall never, ever cease.”

Source: Maybe (Maybe Not): Second Thoughts from a Secret Life

“My own movement of thought is not meant to be a straight point-to-point, linear line of march, but horizontal exploration from one area of interest to another. There is no ultimate destination - no finish line to cross, no final conclusion to be reached. It's the way I feel about dancing - you move around a lot, not to get somewhere, but to be somewhere in time.”

Source: Uh-Oh: Some Observations from Both Sides of the Refrigerator Door

“Sometimes during the day, I consciously focus on some ordinary object and allow myself a momentary "paying-attention." This paying-attention gives meaning to my life. I don't know who it was, but someone said that careful attention paid to anything is a window into the universe. Pausing to think this way, even for a brief moment, is very important. It gives quality to my day.”

“We are the only creatures that both laugh and weep. I think it's because we are the only creatures that see the difference between the way things are and the way they might be.”

Thinking Way Might Differences Laughing Creatures

Book:It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It

Source: It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It

“Weddings seem to be magnets for mishap and for whatever craziness lurks in family closets. In more ways than one, weddings bring out the ding-dong on everybody involved.”

Way Seems Involved Closets Magnet Craziness Mishaps

Book:It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It

Source: It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It