20 Moomin Quotes for Life's Ups and Downs

In moments of fear, division, and uncertainty, the Moomin stories are a light in the darkness for millions of readers around the globe. Now, over 80 years since Moomins and the Great Flood was published, the stories’ themes are just as relevant today as ever.

The first Moomin story was written at the onset of World War II, as Finland was invaded by the Soviet Union in the Winter War. Feeling frightened and helpless, Finnish author Tove Jansson created Moominvalley as an escape while she processed the horrors of war, displacement, and catastrophe.

Though they are packaged as fairytales, the Moomin books contain philosophical themes and progressive political statements far ahead of their time. Through quirky characters and action-packed adventures, the stories remind us of the importance of community, love, courage, and joy during times of instability.

We hope the following selection of quotes will help you find solace from wherever you are in the world.

On the importance of community

1. "You must go on a long journey before you can really find out how wonderful home is."

—Snufkin, Comet in Moominland (1946)

1. "I wish somebody would write a story sometime about the people who warm up the heroes afterward."

—Too-Ticky, Moominland Midwinter (1957)

1. "All of a sudden the feeling of safety was concentrated on a single point, on the veranda and nowhere else; and on the veranda Moominmamma was sitting, waiting for her family to come home so that she could give them all their evening tea."

—Moominpappa at Sea (1965)

1. "I had no idea that you lived under the bridge. Please do come in. I’m sure my wife can make a bed up for you."

—Moominpappa, Comet in Moominland (1946)

On friendship, love, and acceptance

1. "I had now found my first friend, and so my life was truly begun."

—Moominpappa, The Exploits of Moominpappa (1950)

1. "We take everything too much for granted, including each other."

—Moominmamma, Moominpappa at Sea (1965)

1. “He was a little odd, wasn’t he?” said Moominpappa uncertainly.
   “Very odd, if you ask me,” said Little My. “Quite nuts."
   Moominmamma sighed and tried to straighten her legs. "But so are most of the people we know- more or less,” she said
   

—Moominpappa at Sea (1965)

On finding comfort in uncertainty

1. "A new door to the Unbelievable, to the Possible, a new day that can always bring you anything if you have no objection to it."

—The Exploits of Moominpappa (1950)

1. "All things are so very uncertain. And that’s exactly what makes me feel reassured."

—Too-Ticky, Moominland Midwinter (1957)

1. “There’s no need to worry or fear or fret:
   There’s plenty of life in all of us yet."
   

—Snufkin, Morning Song, Finn Family Moomintroll (1948)

1. “Isn’t life exciting! Everything can change all of a sudden, and for no reason at all!"
   

—Moomintroll, Moominpappa at Sea (1965)

On courage and adventure

1. "Anyway, if you’re not afraid, I’m not either!"

—Snorkmaiden, Comet in Moominland (1946)

1. "For if you’re not afraid how can you be really brave?"

—The Exploits of Moominpappa (1950)

1. “I would save your life eight times a day if only I could."
   

—Snorkmaiden, Comet in Moominland (1946)

1. “The world is full of great and wonderful things for those who are ready for them."
   

—Moominpappa, Moominpappa at Sea (1965)

On embracing your feelings

1. "You have always been so happy-go-lucky. It’s dreadful to see you despairing like this."

—Moomintroll, Comet in Moominland (1946)

1. "I used to stand before the mirror and look deep in my unhappy eyes and heave sighs such as: ‘Oh cruel fate!’ ‘Oh terrible lot’ ‘Nevermore.’ And in a few minutes I felt a little bit better."

— Moominpappa, The Exploits of Moominpappa (1950)

On embracing joy in the darkness

1. "Oh, to be a Moomin and to dance in the waves while the sun gets up!"

—Finn Family Moomintroll (1948)

1. "I felt so happy that I wasn’t even afraid it wouldn’t last."

—Moominpappa, The Exploits of Moominpappa (1950)

1. “They were indescribably beautiful, and they seemed to be aware of it. They danced coquettishly, freely and openly, for themselves, for each other, for the island, for the sea – it seemed to be all the same to them."
   

—Moominpappa at Sea (1965)

Sources

The shadow of war in the first Moomin story | Moomin.com
Tove Jansson: Love, war and the Moomins | BBC News