As well as being an everflowing spring of magic and imagination, Disney has always been a fount of enchanting wisdom that fans and casual viewers alike can all enjoy. There are few flicks from the house of mouse that can't be considered quotable, and nearly everyone has at least one motto they live by.
Disney's words of wisdom can be found everywhere from dorm room decor to greeting cards, but that doesn't mean they've become too cliche. Fans everywhere enjoy a little nugget of Disney now and again, and these quotes are still golden after years of repeating.
“Even miracles take a little time.”(Fairy Godmother)
While the Fairy Godmother's words to Cinderella might sound a tad Hallmark-esque, she's not wrong. Think of it as Disney's sugary sweet way of saying "do you want it done fast or do you want it done right?"
Quality endeavors, like Disney movies, for example, do tend to be better when an appropriate amount of dedication is thrown in as well. Of course, a little magic never hurts either.
“A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.” (Cinderella)
While Cinderella's under the spotlight, let's address her famous maxim immortalized in the song, "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes." Again, there's that famous/infamous sweet and lovable nature that comes with most Disney quotes, but it's not exactly sugarcoating the message here.
The word dream can easily be replaced with the word desire, goal, or aspiration, encouraging viewers to maintain their dearest pursuits.
"In Every Job That Must Be Done, There is an Element of Fun." (Mary Poppins)
Honestly, the rest of Mary Poppin's first song in her film could be chalked up along with this first line, but what some people seem to forget is that it's not about changing one's attitude towards menial tasks like cleaning, but altering one's perspective.
Whether it's work, a home project, or just doing the dishes, a change in perspective can work wonders on even the most begrudging of tasks.
“Family Means No One Gets Left Behind…” (Lilo and Stitch)
Granted, it's a lot more endearing to hear it come from Stitch's fanged maw, but its meaning doesn't change. Stitch said it best, Lilo's family is "little and broken, but still good."
While it might not represent the standard nuclear family unit, the warmth and love felt by the members of Lilo and Stitch's "ohana" is most certainly felt in spades. And that's not even including the experiments from the TV series.
“Braver Than You Believe…” (Winnie the Pooh)
Though the original quote was from Christopher Robin, the sage words of wisdom were essentially repeated by a certain silly old bear.
Pooh might be a bear of very little brain, but his reminder that all are braver than they believe, stronger than they seem, and smarter than they think might be the best pep talk out there.
“Always Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide.” (Jiminy Cricket)
If there's one Disney quote that could be considered a cliche, it's this one. While the idea of wishing on a star is a close second, it's this reminder to keep the moral high ground.
It's a rule of life that's practically been embedded in the collective consciousness of anyone who's ever seen the movie. Though it's a bit overplayed, it's still something many need reminding of today.
“Adventure is Out There” (Ellie)
Although Ellie's warcry of "Adventure is out there!" is a bit basic, it's quite an effective motto for life. Although not many are going to strap balloons to their house and set out on an expedition to South America, this line is Pixar's answer to the famous "carpe diem" brand of lifestyle.
It certainly helped inspire Carl to leave his comfort zone, didn't it?
“I Never Look Back, Darling. It Distracts From the Now” (Edna Mode)
Everyone should have the confidence and attitude of Edna Mode. Anyone brilliant enough to design high-tech costumes for an incredible legion of superheroes deserves some serious respect, and her secret to success might lie in this absolutely fabulous quote.
Possibly a reference to Walt Disney's attitude of "keep moving forward," it seems that Edna has her perspective all figured out.
“Life is Not a Spectator Sport...” (Laverne)
This is a message that all viewers need to hear.
One of the quintessential Disney pep talks, this line from Laverne the gargoyle gets Quasimodo motivated to spend one day out there amongst the feast of fools. Serving as a firm reminder that everyone should break out of their shells.
“The Past Can Hurt…But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.” (Rafiki)
This quote is possibly the most repeated on this list, but it's also perhaps the truest phrase ever uttered by a Disney character. The list has featured many quotes about looking forward, but Rafiki cautions the effects of living in the past.
Although it might have been the cosmic summoning of Mufasa's ghost that sealed the deal, Rafiki's iconic quote before Simba's triumphant return to Pride Rock is definitely one to live by.