Maira Kalman > Quotes

“My dream is to walk around the world. A smallish backpack, all essentials neatly in place. A camera. A notebook. A traveling paint set. A hat. Good shoes. A nice pleated (green?) skirt for the occasional seaside hotel afternoon dance.”
― Maira Kalman, The Principles of Uncertainty

“Flowers lead to books, which lead to thinking and not thinking and then more flowers and music, music. Then many more flowers and many more books.”
― Maira Kalman

“if something does go wrong, here is my advice... KEEP CALM and CARRY ON.”
― Maira Kalman, The Principles of Uncertainty

“I tell you these stories because these things happen to everyone. It's not about being starched or polished or cute or polite. It's about having ears that stick out, about breaking yet another glass. It's about seeing something for the first time and making a million mistakes and not ever getting completely discouraged.”
― Maira Kalman

“Soon enough it will be me struggling (valiantly?) to walk - lugging my stuff around. How are we all so brave as to take step after step? Day after day? How are we so optimistic, so careful not to trip and yet do trip, and then get up and say O.K. Why do I feel so sorry for everyone and so proud?”
― Maira Kalman, The Principles of Uncertainty

“Everyone I know is looking for solace, hope and a tasty snack.”
― Maira Kalman

“I have many questions, but no patience to think them through.”
― Maira Kalman, The Principles of Uncertainty

“We could speak about the meaning of life vis-a-vis non-consequential/deontological theories, apodictic transformation schemata, the incoherence of exemplification, metaphysical realism, Cartesian interactive dualism, revised non reductive dualism, postmodernist grammatology and dicey dichotomies. But we would still be left with Nietzsche's preposterous mustache which instills great anguish and skepticism in the brain, which leads (as it did in his case) to utter madness. I suggest we go to Paris instead. ”
― Maira Kalman, The Principles of Uncertainty

“Washing dishes is the anecdote to confusion. I know that for a fact.”
― Maira Kalman, The Principles of Uncertainty

“Isn't that the only way to curate a life? To live among things that make you gasp with delight?”
― Maira Kalman, My Favorite Things

“On the wall was a dress that I embroidered. It said "Ich Habe Genug." Which is a Bach Cantata. Which I once thought meant "I've had it, I can't take anymore, give me a break." But I was wrong.
It means "I have enough." And that is utterly true. I happen to be alive. End of discussion. But I will go out and buy a hat.”
― Maira Kalman, The Principles of Uncertainty

“The book. Calming object. Held in the hand.”
― Maira Kalman

“The man stands behind the man.
The seated man thinks,
"For heaven's sake, stop standing behind me.
You are driving me mad. It is February and it is impossible.
Someone has thrown onion skins all over the stairwell. Now I will have to clean them up - though I love to sweep. But still, it is disgusting."
But all he says is "I have to go soon."
Why can't people tell the truth?
It is impossible not to lie.
It is February and not lying is impossible.”
― Maira Kalman, The Principles of Uncertainty

“If you go too fast you might not notice everything. On the other hand, you don't want to be late.”
― Maira Kalman

“He is a monk. On his card it says INNER PEACE CENTER. I will go there in February for a tea ceremony. Does he actually know more than I do about inner peace? If he met my relatives, would he have a nervous breakdown? What about his relatives? Do they drive him nuts? The truth is everybody gets on everybody's nerves.”
― Maira Kalman, The Principles of Uncertainty

“The ability to take a walk from one point to the next point, that is half the battle won.”
― Maira Kalman, My Favorite Things

“All terrific but the people. THE PEOPLE. Everyone looks so exalted, or so wretched, or so spiffy, so funny, so splendid. If you are ever bored or blue, stand on the street corner for half an hour.”
― Maira Kalman

“And it is very true that the most tender, complicated, most generous part of our being blossoms without any effort, when it comes to the love of a dog.”
― Maira Kalman, Beloved Dog

“The pieces I chose were based on one thing only — a gasp of delight. Isn’t that the only way to curate a life?”
― Maira Kalman, My Favorite Things

“I don't want to trudge up insane mountains or through war-torn lands. Just a nice stroll through the hill and dale. But now I walk everywhere in the city. Any city. You see everything you need to see in a lifetime. Every emotion. Every condition. Every fashion. Every glory.”
― Maira Kalman

“Some people, surely, die on the way to something.

Then we call them the late so-and-so.”
― Maira Kalman, Hurry Up and Wait

“I tell you these stories because these things happen to everyone. It’s not about being starched or polished or cute or polite. It’s about having ears that stick out, about breaking yet another glass. It’s about seeing something for the first time and making a million mistakes and not ever getting completely discouraged.”
― Maira Kalman

“Useless and precious objects. Taking up space. Taking up time.”
― Maira Kalman, My Favorite Things

“I read obituaries first thing in the morning. With a cup of coffee. This is NOT MORBID. Just epic. Maybe it's a way of trying to figure out, before the day begins, what is important. And I am curious about all the little things that make up life. Little?”
― Maira Kalman

“I want to say
that wonderful ideas
can come from anywhere.
Sometimes you make a mistake,
or break something, or lose a hat, and the next
thing you know, you get a great idea.”
― Maira Kalman, Max Makes a Million

“Go out and walk. That is the glory of life.”
― Maira Kalman

“There is no reason to save tickets and stubs. They are tiny and inconsequential. But I do save them and remember that number twenty-three was from the coat check at the restaurant where I ate the lemon tart. The number is so elegant and honest. And the lemon tart was so good.”
― Maira Kalman, My Favorite Things

“Jump right in, or wade in slowly.
Advantage to one, it's over quickly.
Advantage to the other, it isn't.”
― Maira Kalman, Hurry Up and Wait

“Sometimes, when I am feeling
particularly happy or content,
I think I can provide sustenance
for legions of human beings.
I can hold the entire world in my arms.

Other times, I can barely cross the
room. And I drop my arms. Frozen.”
― maira kalman, Women Holding Things: A Visual Celebration of Women's Lives and Roles

“Oh, Tocqueville, you're the man.”
― Maira Kalman, And the Pursuit of Happiness