‘Anne with an E’: The very best quotes to live by

Anne with an E has obviously stolen our hearts. As we feverishly tweet the hashtags #RenewAnnewithanE and stream the series for the dog while we’re out working, we’ve been ruminating on all the reasons we love the series. 

Somehow, Anne with an E’s creator Moira Walley-Beckett gives us dialogue that is worth visiting over and over again. We’ve gathered some of our favorite quotes from the series on life, love, and becoming who we’re meant to be.

Once again, Anne with an E hits us right in the feels.

On the road of life and its winding path

“You have a life of such joy before you. Not without hardship. Not without bumps in the road. Be safe with those you trust. But when you do find people to trust, the bond will be that much greater.”
—Aunt Josephine

“It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy something if you make up your mind firmly that you will. Of course, you must make up your mind firmly. I’ve made up my mind to enjoy this drive”
—Anne Shirley

“It’s not what the world holds for you, it is what you bring to it. ”
—Anne Shirley

“Isn’t it amazing how every day can be an adventure!”
—Anne Shirley

“Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive–it’s such an interesting world. It wouldn’t be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There’d be no scope for imagination then, would there?”
—Anne

On love and its complications

“I’m loved now, but when I wasn’t, it didn’t mean I wasn’t worthy of it.”
—Anne Shirley

“I’ve never bought into that ‘you just know’ notion. Love is a tricky thing. Sometimes it feels like an undeniable force that hits between the eyes and doesn’t let up. Other times, it’s malleable, questionable. It’s truth hidden in and amongst external obstacles and internal circumstances that have formed who you are, what you expect in the world, and how you can accept love. 

“Oh, to say the least, it’s complicated. And if a mind’s abuzz with pressure and deadlines and “What if this and that,” I imagine love’s truth would be a near-impossible thing to feel. I wonder if, when all’s quiet in your mind, you’ll find your answer.” 
—Aunt Josephine

“Why do I care where she’s from? A cute girl is a cute girl.”
—Gilbert Blythe

“It’s the perfect day for a tragical romance!”
—Anne Shirley

“I have the following thoughts to offer, first, you can get married any time in your life if you choose to do so. And two: if you choose a career, you can buy a white dress yourself, have it made to order, and wear it whenever you want.”
—Aunt Josephine

On not accepting the status quo

“I’m as strong as a boy, and I prefer to be outdoors rather than cooped up in a kitchen. It doesn’t make sense that girls aren’t allowed to do farm work when girls can do anything a boy can do and more! Do you consider yourself to be delicate and incapable? Because I certainly don’t. 

“I don’t understand the conundrum. For example, what if, suddenly, there were no boys in the world, none at all.”
—Anne Shirley

“The best part of knowing the rules is finding acceptable ways of breaking them.”
—Miss Rose

“Sound journalism must defend the voiceless, not send them further into silence.”
—Ms. Stacy

“I look forward to never minding what you say again.”
—Anne Shirley

“I reckon every new idea was modern once, until it wasn’t.”
—Matthew Cuthbert

On growing into our best versions of ourselves

“Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn.”
—Anne Shirley

“Nightmares aren’t so scary without the protection of the dark.”
—Anne Shirley

“You know, it seems to me you should decide for yourself what you want to do, and be, and set your mind to it. You’ve got a good and nimble mind, Anne, I don’t see why you should limit it. In my day, we didn’t get to choose. I think you should make your own decision.”
—Marilla Cuthbert

“Life had so many colors through her eyes. It painted my world forever.”
—Aunt Josephine

“It’s not what the world holds for you, it’s what you bring to it”
—Anne Shirley

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