20 Winnie the Pooh quotes that just say everything you needed to say

A.A. Milne was a genius

He might be a bear of very little brain, but Christopher Robin’s best friend sure has some words of wisdom when it comes to love, life and friendship. Here are some of our favourite Winnie The Pooh quotes (from Pooh and the gang) for every occasion…

On patience: 'If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.'

On keeping it simple: 'It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?'

On living in the moment: “I used to believe in forever, but forever's too good to be true”

On friendship: 'I wonder what Piglet is doing,' thought Pooh. 'I wish I were there to be doing it, too.'

And more on friendship: 'I wish Pooh were here. It's so much more friendly with two.'

And more (for Pooh is ever such a good friend): 'A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.'

On what to look for in good friends: 'I don’t feel very much like Pooh today,' said Pooh. 'There there,' said Piglet. 'I’ll bring you tea and honey until you do.'

On exercise: 'A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise.'

On learning to love your body: 'It's not much of a tail, but I'm sort of attached to it.'

On musical excellence: 'If you want to make a song more hummy, add a few tiddely poms.'

On planning for the day: '"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?" "What's for breakfast?” said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?" "I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.'

On being thoughtful: 'A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.'

On learning self-restraint at the dinner table: 'Pooh always liked a little something at eleven o'clock in the morning, and he was very glad to see Rabbit getting out the plates and mugs; and when Rabbit said, 'Honey or condensed milk with your bread?' he was so excited that he said, 'Both,' and then, so as not to seem greedy, he added, 'But don't bother about the bread, please.' On love: 'Love is taking a few steps backward maybe even more… to give way to the happiness of the person you love.'

More love truth-talk: 'Some people care too much. I think it's called love.'

On getting some perspective: 'Christopher Robin… watched the river slipping slowly away beneath him, then he would suddenly know everything that there was to be known, and he would be able to tell Pooh, who wasn't quite sure about some of it.'

On taking your time: 'By the time it came to the edge of the Forest the stream had grown up, so that it was almost a river, and, being grown-up, it did not run and jump and sparkle along as it used to do when it was younger, but moved more slowly. For it knew now where it was going, and it said to itself, "There is no hurry. We shall get there some day." But all the little streams higher up in the Forest went this way and that, quickly, eagerly, having so much to find out before it was too late.'

On commitment: '"Pooh, promise you won't forget about me, ever. Not even when I'm a hundred." Pooh thought for a little. "How old shall I be then?" "Ninety-nine." Pooh nodded."I promise," he said.'

On dressing for the occasion: 'Christopher Robin was sitting outside his door, putting on his Big Boots. As soon as he saw the Big Boots, Pooh knew that an Adventure was going to happen...'

On goodbyes: 'Still with his eyes on the world Christopher Robin put out a hand and felt for Pooh's paw. "Pooh," said Christopher Robin earnestly, "if I--if I'm not quite" he stopped and tried again. "Pooh, whatever happens, you will understand, won't you?" "Understand what?" "Oh, nothing." He laughed and jumped to his feet. "Come on!" "Where?" said Pooh. "Anywhere," said Christopher Robin. So they went off together. But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.'