Hans Christian Andersen

“Death walks faster than the wind and never returns what he has taken.”

“My life will be the best illustration of all my work.”

“He looked at the little maiden, and she looked at him; and he felt that he was melting away, but he still managed to keep himself erect, shouldering his gun bravely. A door was suddenly opened, the draught caught the little dancer and she fluttered like a sylph, straight into the fire, to the soldier, blazed up and was gone! By this time the soldier was reduced to a mere lump, and when the maid took away the ashes next morning she found him, in the shape of a small tin heart. All that was left of the dancer was her spangle, and that was burnt as black as a coal.”

“Never had she danced so beautifully; the sharp knives cut her feet, but she did not feel it, for the pain in her heart was far greater.”

“But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers so much more.”

“Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”

“But these are small troubles, people will say. Yes, but they are drops which wear hollows in the rock.”

“Life is like a beautiful melody, only the lyrics are messed up.”

“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float,To gain all while you give,To roam the roads of lands remote,To travel is to live.”

“Almighty God, thee only have I; thou steerest my fate, I must give myself up to thee! Give me a livelihood! Give me a bride! My blood wants love, as my heart does!”

“Every man's life is a fairy tale written by God's fingers.”

“Then your tail will divide and shrink until it becomes what the people on earth call a pair of shapely legs. But it will hurt; it will feel as if a sharp sword slashed through you. Everyone who sees you will say that you are the most graceful human being they have ever laid eyes on, for you will keep your gliding movement and no dancer will be able to tread as lightly as you. But every step you take will feel as if you were treading upon knife blades so sharp that blood must flow. I am willing to help you, but are you willing to suffer all this?""Yes," the little mermaid said in a trembling voice, as she thought of the Prince and of gaining a human soul.”