How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Mary Poppins.
Quote #1
MARY: In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and - snap - the job's a game!
This is the essence of Mary Poppins philosophy. Life is usually boring and full of chores. But if you add a little fun and turn jobs into games, then—you're cooking with gas. Your whole life is ecstatic.
Quote #2
JANE: Mary Poppins taught us the most wonderful word!
MICHAEL: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
GEORGE: What on Earth are you talking about, supercal... super... or whatever the infernal thing is?
JANE: It's something to say when you don't know what to say.
GEORGE: Yes, well, I always know what to say.
Nonsense—like saying "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!"—is an important part of life and being happy. If everything always had to be full of sense and purpose, life would be totally boring. But a little nonsense makes it all better.
Quote #3
MARY: A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
This is actually a quote from John Keats' "Endymion." Basically, Keats is saying that beautiful things are great. They make you happy. And they don't get old.
Quote #4
MARY: Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, the medicine go down, the medicine go down. Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way.
A little kindness and enjoyment go a long way. You don't need to go overboard and make things too sweet—saccharine, in other words. Just a little bit makes everything more than tolerable: delightful, actually.
Quote #5
MARY: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
This word is supposed to make you feel happier just by saying it. It's charged with this magical power to cheer people up.
Quote #6
MARY: Feed the birds, that's what she cries, while overhead her birds fill the skies. All around the cathedral the saints and apostles look down as she sells her wares. Although you can't see it, you know they are smiling each time someone shows that he cares. Though her words are simple and few, listen, listen, she's calling to you. Feed the birds, tuppence a bag. Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag. Though her words are simple and few, listen, listen she's calling to you. Feed the birds, tuppence a bag. Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag.
The old lady in this song finds joy in the simple things. All she needs is a bag of seeds and some birds to eat those seeds.
Quote #7
BERT: What did I tell ya? There's the whole world at your feet. And who gets to see it but the birds, the stars, and the chimney sweeps.
Bert finds pleasure in being a chimney sweep, because he's got a great view—one which everyone else is too busy to get up on their roofs and see.
Quote #8
GEORGE: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Mary Poppins was right, it's extraordinary! It does make you feel better! Hee hee hee hee!
DAWES SR.: What are you talking about, man? There's no such word!
GEORGE: Oh yes! It is a word! A perfectly good word! Actually, do you know what there's no such thing as? It turns out, with due respect, when all is said and done, that there's no such thing as you!
George learns to embrace a little nonsense in his life. He rejects the stodgy seriousness of the banks, and gets on the Mary Poppins bandwagon. He's all about whimsy and humor now.