Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be. —Shel Silverstein
“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”

Shel Silverstein poet, songwriter, musician

Hope
Pass It On®
Pass It On®

  email   print

Your Comments
Abby Snyder from Shelby  MAY 20, 2019
i love this poem
Anonymous OCTOBER 5, 2018
Lovely
Shana from Oregon JULY 19, 2018
One of my very favorite poems, ever.
Arlene from Mayville , Michigan. MARCH 28, 2017
Have some of his books,, had such a way with words.
Carrie from Usa FEBRUARY 16, 2016
Yea, I'm touched.
Linda from USA JANUARY 7, 2016
Oh, that is so true (In reference to Shel Silverstein's remarks, 'Listen to the mustn't .......anything can be".

Here are some other inspiring quotes you might like.
Our job on earth isn't to criticize, reject, or judge. Our purpose is to offer a helping hand, compassion, and mercy. We are to do unto others as we hope they would do unto us. #<Author:0x00007f1f0740e660>
INCLUDING OTHERS
Strive to find things to be thankful for, and just look for the good in who you are. #<Author:0x00007f1f07455600>
APPRECIATION
Opportunities, many times, are so small that we glimpse them not and yet they are often the seeds of great enterprises. Opportunities are also everywhere and so you must always let your hook be hanging. When you least expect it, a great fish will swim by. #<Author:0x00007f1f0743f878>
BELIEVE
He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying. #<Author:0x00007f1f074968f8>
DEDICATION
Courtesy is a small act but it packs a mighty wallop. #<Author:0x00007f1f07484d88>
COURTESY
If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down. #<Author:0x00007f1f075032f0>
DETERMINATION
Personality begins where comparison leaves off. Be unique. Be memorable. Be confident. Be proud. #<Author:0x00007f1f074f0ec0>
CONFIDENCE
Every person that you meet knows something you don't; learn from them. #<Author:0x00007f1f07543080>
HUMILITY
Storms make trees take deeper roots. #<Author:0x00007f1f075304f8>
STRENGTH
I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity. #<Author:0x00007f1f07512368>
CURIOSITY
It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart. #<Author:0x00007f1f07568290>
HOPE
The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers. #<Author:0x00007f1f07552ad0>
MINDFULNESS
We haven't all had the good fortune to be ladies; we haven't all been generals, or poets, or statesmen; but when the toast works down to the babies, we stand on common ground—for we have all been babies. #<Author:0x00007f1f075a0898>
COMMON GROUND
True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united. #<Author:0x00007f1f0758abb0>
FITNESS
Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. #<Author:0x00007f1f07578578>
MINDFULNESS
Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help. #<Author:0x00007f1f075c2970>
VOLUNTEERING
All Pass It On® Quotes

We use cookies or similar technologies to process data when you visit our site. This data may relate to your use of our site, your preferences, your device, or other information about you. We and third parties may use this information for a variety of purposes, such as enabling the sites to function, to personalize your experience when using our sites, and for analytical purposes. Read our privacy policy and terms of use for details. close

Reject All Accept All