I wish I was more Moo min-minded.

— Tove Jansson

Making a whole is very important. Most people paint things and forget the whole.

— Tove Jansson

Malander had an idea and was trying to work it out, but it would take him time. Sometimes people never saw things clearly until it was too late, and they no longer had the strength to start again. Or else they forgot their idea along the way and didn't even realize that they have forgotten.

— Tove Jansson

Moominmamma had got up very early to pack their rucksacks, and was bustling to and fro with wooly stockings and packets of sandwiches, while down by the bridge Moominpappa was getting their raft in order." Mamma, DAR," said Moomintroll, "we can't possibly take all that with us. Everyone will laugh."" It's cold in the Lonely Mountains," said Moominmamma, stuffing in an umbrella and a frying pan. "Have you got a compass?"" Yes," answered Moomintroll, "but couldn't you at least leave out the plates -- we can easily eat off rhubarb leaves.

— Tove Jansson

Mummy weighed sweets and nuts so that everyone would get exactly the same amount. During the year, everything is measured roughly, but at Christmas, it has to be absolutely fair. That's why it's such a strenuous time.

— Tove Jansson

Nothing can be as peaceful and endless as a long winter darkness, going on and on, like living in a tunnel where the dark sometimes deepens into night and sometimes eases to twilight, you're screened from everything, protected, even more alone than usual.

— Tove Jansson

Nothing is as peaceful as when Christmas is over, when one has been forgiven for everything and can be normal again.

— Tove Jansson

Not one adventure in a whole day," said Sniff, who was taking his turn at steering now the current was slower. "Just gray banks and gray banks, and not even an adventure."" I think it's very adventurous to float down a winding river," said Moomintroll. "You never know what you'll meet round the next corner. You always want adventures, Sniff, and when they come you're so frightened you don't know what to do."" Well, I'm not a lion," said Sniff reproachfully. "I like small adventures. Just the right size.

— Tove Jansson

Now everything was changed. She walked about with cautious, anxious steps, staring constantly at the ground, on the lookout for things that crept and crawled. Bushes were dangerous, and so were seagrass and rain water. There were little animals everywhere. They could turn up between the covers of a book, flattened and dead, for the fact is that creeping animals, tattered animals, and dead animals are with us all our lives, from beginning to end. Grandmother tried to discuss this with her, to no avail. Irrational terror is so hard to deal with. [p. 136]

— Tove Jansson

Now you can all have a wish -- the Moo min family first!" Moominmamma hesitated a bit. "Should it be something you can see?" she asked, "or an idea? If you know what I mean, Mr. Hobgoblin?"" Oh, yes!" said the Hobgoblin. "Things are easier of course, but it will work with an idea too."" Then I want to wish that Moomintroll will stop missing Snuffing," said Moominmamma." Oh, dear!" said Moomintroll going pink, "I didn't know it was so obvious!" But the Hobgoblin waved his cloak once, and immediately the sadness flew out of Moomintroll's heart. His longing just became an expectancy, and that felt much better.

— Tove Jansson