Because," explained Mary Rommely simply, "the child must have a valuable thing which is called imagination. The child must have a secret world in which live things that never were. It is necessary that she believe. She must start out by believing in things not of this world. Then when the world becomes too ugly for living in, the child can reach back and live in her imagination. I, myself, even in this day and at my age, have great need of recalling the miraculous lives of the Saints and the great miracles that have come to pass on earth. Only by having these things in my mind can I live beyond what I have to live for.
believe imagination inspirational life
Download Image Share on X Share on Facebook

About This Quote

Themes

  • Imagination — The creative power of the mind and visionary thinking
  • Inspirational — Uplifting words to motivate and inspire positive action
  • Life — Reflections on the meaning, challenges, and beauty of life

More quotes by Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

“ They learned no compassion from their own anguish. Thus their suffering was wasted.”
— Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
anguish compassion suffering

“I will not speak falsely and say to you: 'Do not grieve for me when I go.' I have loved my children and tried to be a good mother and it is right that my children grieve for me. But let your grief ...”
— Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
afterlife death grief

“From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss the lack of intimate friends. Books became her friends and there was one for every mood. There was...”
— Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
books literature lonliness reading

“Oh, and you must not forget the Kris Kringle. The child must believe in him until she reaches the age of six."" I KNOW there is not Santa Claus.""Yet you must teach the child that these things are ...”
— Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
believing childhood-imagination imagination santa-claus

“It is good thing to learn the truth one's self. To first believe with all your heart, and then not to believe, is good too. It fattens the emotions and makes them to stretch. When as a woman life a...”
— Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
disappointment emotions rich-character suffering

“The child will grow up and find out things for herself. She will know that I lied. She will be disappointed.""That is what is called learning the truth. It is a good thing to learn the truth one's ...”
— Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
character disappointment suffering
View all quotes by Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn →

Related Quotes

“Dont feel ashamed of working hard! Believe that things will change.”
— Mustafa Saifuddin
believe believe-and-achieve believe-in-yourself hard-work

“Be believing, be happy, don't get discouraged. Things will work out.”
— Gordon B. Hinckley
believe believing happiness happy

“Hearts will break and people will hurt you, darling. Her mother said. But when you let those people control your outlook on the life, you only allow them to have a greater hold on your happiness. O...”
— Courtney Giardina, Holding on to Georgia
believe finding-love happiness lessons

“I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the Heart's affections and the truth of the Imagination.”
— John Keats
imagination love truth

“Nature: it might be the magical key to unlock a locked imagination.”
— Kami Guildner, Firedancer: Your Spiral Journey to a Life of Passion and Purpose
imagination magic nature

“Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination.”
— Oscar Wilde
imagination life money

“We accept the love we think we deserve.”
— Stephen Chbosky
inspirational love

“All Earthquakes and Disasters are warnings theres too much corruption in the world ”
— Aristotle
inspirational spirituality

“Its only when youre at the bottom of the ladder that you ascend.”
— Gina Barreca
inspirational inspirational-quotes