11 Dr. Seuss Quotes That Will Make You Feel Badass

If you notice people talking in bizarre rhyming couplets today, there’s a reason for that: it’s the magnificent Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The eccentric writer, real name Theodor Geisel, is best known for his nonsensical children’s books about slightly bizarre topics like unusually-colored food — but he’s also been known to drop a few truth bombs here and there.

Many of his books contain social and political themes that were pretty unheard of in children’s books in the ‘30s to ‘80s when he did most of his writing. The Sneetches, for example, was actually about racism and discrimination — and Yertle the Turtle was written in response to Hitler’s rise to power. So it’s no surprise that children brought up on his writing remember far more than just green eggs and ham; they remember the inspirational words that actually got them thinking differently about the world.

But despite the rather serious context, Dr. Seuss always managed to put a positive spin on things; above all, his work suggests he truly believed in the power of young people to make a difference. These 11 inspirational quotes are full of Dr. Seuss’ characteristic wisdom, and will make you want to crack a smile, march out your front door, and set off on this marvelous adventure we call life. Because if Dr. Seuss thinks you’re a badass, then it must be true.

1. "Kid, you’ll move mountains! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way!"

— Oh, The Places You'll Go!

2. "You are you. Now, isn't that pleasant?"

— Happy Birthday To You!

3. "If you keep your eyes open enough, oh, the stuff you will learn. Oh, the most wonderful stuff."

— I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

4. "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."

— Oh, The Places You'll Go!

5. "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not."

— The Lorax

6. "Don’t give up! I believe in you all. A person’s a person, no matter how small!"

— Horton Hears a Who

7. "And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)"

— Oh, The Places You'll Go!

8. “If things start happening, don’t worry, don’t stew, just go right along and you’ll start happening too.”

— Oh, The Places You'll Go!

9. “You’re in pretty good shape for the shape you are in.”

— You're Only Old Once!

10. “Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”

— One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

11. "Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you."

— Happy Birthday to You!

Armed with quotes like that — nothing can bring you down!

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