The Best Quotes by Anne Shirley

Here is post two of my Anne of Green Gables series this month! Of course, amid all of these splendid quotes, we mustn’t forget the one that started this series in the first place. 🙂

'I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers!'

There are so many lovely quotes in between the pages of Anne of Green Gables. Charming, thoughtful, and altogether wonderful, it would not be an exaggeration to say that some of my favorite quotes of all time are in them. Today I’ve gathered the best, most beloved quotes by Anne Shirley of green Gables to talk and think over. Each of them was spoken by Anne, and can be found in the first book.

The Best Quotes by Anne Shirley

'Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many in the world.'

To start off I thought I’d talk about this well known signature Anne quote. Anne is always on the hunt for good true friends, or, as she prefers to call them, kindred spirits. At first she thinks that they are few and far between, but over her time at Green Gables Anne begins to see that kindred spirits are ‘not so scarce’ as she used to think.

I continue to love this quote every time I come back to it. It may seem basic and familiar, but it captures the beauty of discovered friendships. God has placed people with similar hearts and minds all around us. Yes, sometimes we will be lonely and feel misunderstood, but that does not mean that good, like minded people do not exist. This quote is a reminder that there are people like us, who will become our very own kindred spirits.

'Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?'

This quote seems simple, and yet there is a quiet charm to it glowing in truth. For Anne, it means that she is given a fresh chance to avoid those unlucky scrapes she’s always getting herself in. No matter how many troubles she might find herself in, she can always rest assured that the next morning will be a clean slate.

However, every time I read the quote I think of Lamentations 3:22, and God’s mercies that are new every morning. Each morning can be the start of another day of blessings and thankfulness. His glories are all around us, and even on the long, rough days we can be sure of the faithfulness of the Lord. Each morning, He is there.

Whichever way you think of it, a morning is a gift, the start of something new.

'It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.'

I love this outlook Anne has on life. So very often, if we know there is something we do not enjoy we can only think of our dislike for it. But Anne is certainly onto something here. By deciding you are going to enjoy something and make the most of it while that’s where you’re at, you have a good chance to actually enjoy it. That is, you certainly have a better chance than if you complain about it the whole time.

This reminds me of Philippians 2:14, which commands us to not grumble about anything. That is a very hard command to follow because there will repeatedly be things in life that we do not like. But complaining will take away from the gift God may be intending it to be.

So instead of grumbling, set your mind firmly to enjoy it, just as Anne does. You will likely find her experience to be trustworthy. 😉

'Dear old world, you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.'

Oh, this might be my favorite Anne quote of them all. It captures her brilliant delight in the world around her, her love for nature, and appreciation of all life has to offer. Whether it’s the changing of the seasons, the budding of a flower, or simply a quiet evening stroll, Anne is always spotting loveliness.

What a beautiful thing life is, when it comes down to it. Of course there is heartache and struggle, but there is also loveliness, goodness, and beauty. Whenever I am outside on an absolutely wonderful day, relishing in the air and nature, or when I’m overflowing with happiness because of something, big or small, I think of this quote. It’s such a good expression of thankfulness for what a gift the world is.

The world is lovely, if only we take the time to remember it.

'I'm not a bit changed- not really. I'm just pruned down and branched out. The real me,- back here- is just the same.'

This quote is probably least known of all of these, but there is something so significant in it that I had to bring it up. It comes near the end of the first book. Anne has grown both in mind and body from the little girl she was when she came to Green Gables. Not only does she look older, but she is also more mature. She has learned how to better manage her tongue, and is quieter, and more thoughtful.

However, as Anne reminds Marilla, she has not really changed. She hasn’t become anything she wasn’t before, only she has been shaped more clearly into the woman she is now. And isn’t that true for all of us? As we grow older, it is less that we are becoming a new person, and more that all our childhood qualities are forming into the person God intended us to be from the very beginning.

That’s a comforting thought, I think.

Final Thoughts

Anne has such a delightful way of viewing the world around her, and I just love all the ways she expresses that in these quotes. I hope you enjoyed reading them!

What’s your favorite quote Anne says? Is it one of these? I’d love for you to share in the comments.