Mary Poppins Wisdom and Knowledge Quotes

How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Mary Poppins.

Quote #1

MARY: Our first game is called "Well Begun is Half-Done."

MICHAEL: I don't like the sound of that.

MARY: Otherwise titled "Let's Tidy up the Nursery."

MICHAEL: I told you she was tricky.

Mary has wise little sayings like "Well begun is half done." She means that if you get things off to a fun or pleasant start, that's half the battle. It makes the rest of the process run so smoothly.

Quote #2

MARY: First of all, I would like to make one thing quite clear.

GEORGE: Yes?

MARY: I never explain anything.

Mary doesn't explain anything because that's not the way she teaches. She teaches by leading people into experiences, and having them see for themselves. Mr. Banks can't learn to loosen up just by Mary telling him, "Loosen up!" She has lead him into events, so he can figure out the lesson on his own.

Quote #3

MARY: Practically perfect people never permit sentiment to muddle their thinking.

Even though Mary makes people feel sentiment and whimsy, she tells her talking umbrella that that's not really her style. She keeps her emotions reined in and just does her job…or so she says.