The 25 Most Memorable Quotes From Mary Poppins

Summary

• Mary Poppins quotes are inspirational and iconic, making the movies memorable for fans of all ages.
• Mary Poppins encourages imagination and a childlike sense of wonder in both children and adults.
• The power of Mary Poppins quotes lies in their ability to teach important life lessons while being whimsical and fun.

Mary Poppins quotes like “Let’s go fly a kite!” are part of what make Disney’s movie musical and its sequel so memorable. Hear one of these lines, and many people instantly know it’s from Mary Poppins. They’re inspirational, sweet, comical, and they always make fans feel better. That’s the power of the best Mary Poppins quotes. Since 1964, families have loved the Disney live-action musical. It’s an endearing classic that brings joy to fans of all ages. From the first time the audience sees Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews), it’s a thrilling adventure and everyone wants a nanny like Mary.

Some audience members might find the feel-good messages of the original Mary Poppins film a little dated, but there’s something special about Mary Poppins, her words of wisdom, and the imaginative journey on which she takes the audience. The sequel, Mary Poppins Returns, released several decades after the first movie, is just as charming and fun as the first, and Mary (Emily Blunt) still has a way with words. Mary Poppins quotes will always be iconic.

“I Told You She Was Tricky.”

Michael Banks, Mary Poppins

When Mary Poppins begins, the Banks children are known for being troublemakers. They have run off several of their caretakers by refusing to listen to them, and their father wants a much stricter household for his children. The Banks children just want to have a little fun. They get a little bit of both when they meet Mary Poppins, though Michael isn’t entirely expecting that.

It’s Michael who tells Jane that Mary is going to be a tricky nanny, and he’s not wrong. Mary Poppins doesn’t argue with the children or allow them to get the better of her. When she decides to make a game of cleaning up the nursery, Michael knows exactly what she’s doing, prompting this Mary Poppins quote to his sister, and demonstrating that the kids are actually very smart, not just misbehaving.

“We’re On The Brink Of Adventure, Children. Don’t Spoil It With Questions.”

Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Returns

Whether she is truly magic and leading them to whole new animated worlds or whether they are simply playing pretend is left up to the interpretation of the audience members.

Mary Poppins, in both of her Disney movies, is very much a “show, don’t tell” character. Even though there are tons of great Mary Poppins quotes from the titular character, she doesn’t like to fully explain herself or spoil the surprises that are in store. She prefers to lead people into new situations without them having any preconceived ideas and allow them to experience things for themselves.

This idea is largely because Mary Poppins encourages the children under her care to use their imaginations. It’s entirely possible that her fostering of their imaginations is what really leads to the adventures of the Banks children. Whether she is truly magic and leading them to whole new animated worlds or whether they are simply playing pretend is left up to the interpretation of the audience members. That’s what makes the adventures they go on so great.

“Well, Most Things He Can. Sometimes A Person We Love, Through No Fault Of Their Own, Can’t See Past The End Of His Nose.”

Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins

When Mary Poppins tells the Banks children that their father is going to take them to the bank with him, Jane gets very excited about the idea. They don’t, after all, spend a lot of time with their father. Jane thinks Mr. Banks will show them all the sights in London on the way, but Mary has her doubts, leading to her giving this Mary Poppins quote. The quote is less about sight-seeing and more about Mr. Banks not seeing that his children are unhappy and want to see more of him.

Mary understands that their bad behavior in the past has been a way to get rid of nannies, but also to gain the attention of their parents. She believes that Mr. Banks is missing the things that are right in front of him, like how much his children want to spend time with him, and how important it is to foster their imaginations, another point that comes up in the movie. Jane and Micheal don’t see that about their own father though.

“When The World Turns Upside Down, The Best Thing To Do Is Turn Right Along With It.”

Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Returns

Mary Poppins is a firm believer in adaptation. She often finds herself in strange situations thanks to the households that call her and the imaginative adventures on which she takes the children while she’s watching them. As a result, she understands the value of adapting to brand-new surroundings as needed.

This particular Mary Poppins quote highlights adapting to the world as it changes. When she returns to the Banks family in Mary Poppins Returns, she might seem like she’s still the same, but her original charges are all grown up, and she takes a new generation on a new adventure in which they get to learn new lessons from her. She might still be encouraging the use of imagination, but not in exactly the same circumstances as she did before because she has changed, even slightly, with a changing world.

“Then You’ve Forgotten What It’s Like… To Be A Child.”

The Balloon Lady, Mary Poppins Returns

One of the best aspects of the Mary Poppins movies is that the adventures are told with a sense of childlike wonder. That’s because the central characters of the story are the children and their nanny. The movies also, however, do a great job at reminding the adults in the stories that having fun and the sense of wonder they experienced as a child don’t have to vanish once they have adult responsibilities. The exchange between Michael Banks and the Balloon Lady is a good example of that.

Michael Banks: “Those days are long behind me. I don’t think I’ve held a balloon since I was a child.”

Balloon Lady: “Then you’ve forgotten what it’s like.”

Michael Banks: “To hold a balloon?”

Balloon Lady: “To be a child.

In the first movie, it’s Michael’s father who has to be reminded that his children should be enjoying their childhood with him. In the sequel, Michael has faced tragedy and the responsibilities of being a father himself and seems to have fallen into the same role his own father did. He has to be reminded to enjoy his life.

“Close Your Mouth, Michael. We Are Not A Codfish.”

Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins

While a lot of Mary Poppins’ quotes in the original movie are meant to foster imagination and make following the rules fun, this one also reveals that she knows how to make admonishments funny. She isn’t afraid to be stern when she needs to be because she can make those stern moments funny. As Michael Banks opens his mouth in shock at things like her bottomless bag and talking umbrella, Mary barely spares him a glance to give this line.

Michael immediately closing his mouth might make the audience laugh, but it also shows the audience that Mary means business. As fun as she is for the rest of the movie, she puts the job of bringing the family together first. That doesn’t just mean bringing imagination back to Mr. Banks, but also getting the Banks children to behave.

“That’s A Piecrust Promise. Easily Made, Easily Broken.”

Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins

Pie crusts are fragile. They crumble in hand and are nearly impossible to keep whole.

The iconic nanny is a lover of metaphors. They’re just one of the many ways Mary Poppins conveys her intelligence to the audience. When she uses these metaphors, they really paint a picture for the Banks children and the audience. Everyone knows exactly what her words mean because they can see it.

With this particular Mary Poppins quote, she references the potential for a broken promise as a “pie crust promise.” Others might just say they’re afraid of a child not being truthful, or of them not being able to commit to what they say, but Mary takes it a step further to really make the children see what she means. Pie crusts are fragile. They crumble in hand and are nearly impossible to keep whole. That’s a great visual for a promise that is impossible to keep.

“Nothing. Such A Useful Word, Isn’t It? It Can Mean Anything And Everything.”

Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Returns

In the original movie, Mary keeps an air of mystery about her despite all the magical things happening in plain sight. The children are mesmerized by her as a result. Part of that is due to her inventive dialogue and getting the children to pay attention to her particular choice of words.

In the sequel, the magical nanny does the same thing, drawing the children’s attention to exactly how they speak and exactly what they mean, even as she’s teaching them lessons and getting the new generation of siblings to use their imagination. While some audience members complained that Emily Blunt and Julie Andrews weren’t exactly the same version of Mary Poppins, Blunt’s delivery of lines like these made them a nearly perfect match. Mary Poppins’ quotes are just as memorable the second time around.

“What Do You Get When You Feed The Birds? Fat Birds.”

Mr. Dawes, Mary Poppins

…it’s a sign of a lack of imagination from the banker.

Out of context, this line isn’t anything special, and if someone saw it, they would think the character was simply stating the audience. When the audience, however, sees Mr. Dawes swoop in and take Michael’s money from him when saying this quote, it’s a sign of a lack of imagination from the banker.

The man in charge of the bank has one thing on his mind, and that’s making money. He represents the future that Mr. Banks could have if he doesn’t stop for a moment and remember how to use his imagination. Mr. Dawes doesn’t appreciate that Michael wants to do something sweet with his hard-earned dollar, like feed the birds while he spends time in the park; Mr. Dawes thinks only of investments. He’s one of the least likable characters in Mary Poppins thanks to that lack of imagination. This line only solidifies that.

“The Man Said, ‘I’d Like To Replace Your Cat.’ And The Lady Said, ‘That’s All Right With Me, But How Are You At Catching Mice?’”

Bert, Mary Poppins

If Mary Poppins loves a good metaphor, Bert loves a good dad joke. Dad jokes are a little cheesy and usually, have a great pun. Bert and the Banks children in particular find this one very funny. Some might miss the punchline if they’re too busy seeing what’s going on in the scene with its hovering table and tea party, but Bert, Michael, and Jane laughing uproariously during tea time clues them in that there’s a good line to catch.

Compared to some of the most iconic lines from the songs in the movie, this one might not be as memorable. It’s hard for someone to get the joke down exactly right on the first watch, but it’s likely that nearly every child who sees the movie tries their hand at retelling the joke at least once.

“Everything Is Possible, Even The Impossible.”

Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Returns

If there’s one thing Mary Poppins is good at in every version of her story, it’s encouraging children and adults alike to embrace their imaginative side. That is the theme of her story and one of the best aspects of her character. Even while wanting children to have good manners, she still wants them to be children and have childish experiences.

Whether she’s talking to her tape measure, pulling impossible things out of her carpet bag, encouraging dancing through sidewalk chalk drawings in the original movie, or diving below the surface of the bathtub in the sequel, Mary Poppins knows how to get people to ponder the impossibilities of the world around them. Her firm belief that anyone can do anything if they just imagine it is part of what makes her stories so fun and uplifting for the audience.

“Though We Adore Men Individually, We Agree As A Group That They’re Rather Stupid.”

Mrs. Banks, Mary Poppins

This particular Mary Poppins quote seems pretty mean-spirited concerning men at first, but Mrs. Banks is actually trying to make a larger point to the women she’s speaking with. One of the reasons she’s not home to spend as much time with Jane and Michael is because she’s an active participant in the suffragette movement in England, which is the entire reason for this particular Mary Poppins line.

Mrs. Banks has been working tirelessly in the hope that women will be allowed to vote and act independently of their husbands. For a long time, women couldn’t have bank accounts independent of their husbands, brothers, or fathers either, for example, and the right to vote was a step toward independence in the same way having one’s own bank account is. It’s clearly taking a toll on her as this particular line is the one that stands out from her few scenes in the movie. She just wants her voice to be heard.

“Winds In The East, Mist Coming In.”

Bert, Mary Poppins

There is no Mary Poppins without Julie Andrews as Mary and Dick Van Dyke as Bert, Mary’s loyal friend. While Van Dyke has been criticized for his subpar English Cockney accent, pair him with Andrews and there is movie magic.

The prologue of Van Dyke’s famous song “Chim Chim Cher-ee” features one of the movie’s most memorable quotes: “Winds in the east, mist coming in. Like somethin’ is brewin’ and ’bout to begin. Can’t put me finger on what lies in store, but I fear what’s to happen all happened before.” The quote hints at Mary’s arrival and gives the movie a musical mystique. It also hints at Bert’s history with Mary as the two are revealed to be old friends. As soon as a movie fan hears this line, they know the iconic song is on the way.

“You Can’t Lose What You Never Lost.”

Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Returns

…though their mother might be physically gone, they haven’t lost their love for her…

Part of the need for happiness and imaginative dance sequences in Mary Poppins Returns is that Michael Banks has lost his wife, and his children are still grieving the recent loss of their mother. There’s a sense that they feel like her no longer being in their lives means everything associated with their mother has been taken from them, despite them constantly referencing things she taught them.

Mary helps them see that even though their mother might be physically gone, they haven’t lost their love for her (or her for them). That’s something that she makes them see is impossible to lose as the story plays out. This is one of Mary Poppins’ quotes that helps to alleviate some of the heavier moments in the movie. The entire sentiment is echoed in her song “The Place Where Lost Things Go.”

“There’s The Whole World At Your Feet.”

Bert, Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins is undeniably one of the most inspirational and important Disney films of all time. It is filled with one encouraging, motivating line for both the Banks children and the audience after another. During one scene, Bert tells the Banks children: “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.”

According to Bert, the world is massive and has so many opportunities for people. However, most people don’t even realize the opportunities that exist around them because they don’t see the world in that way. They don’t have the bird’s eye view of the world that the stars and the chimney sweeps do. Bert reminds the audience as well as the Banks kids that even though they might feel stuck, if they widen their perspective, they can do anything.

“A Spoonful Of Sugar Helps The Medicine Go Down!”

Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins

In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.

Mary Poppins could make absolutely anything seem fun, even the simple, but seemingly boring task of cleaning a bedroom. In another famous Disney song, “A Spoonful of Sugar,” she advises the Banks children, Jane and Michael, with one of the most famous Mary Poppins sayings that, “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” Essentially, some tasks in life seem dreadful, but they don’t always have to be. Mary adds, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.”

Anything can be fun if one improves their spirit. If a person is joyful, things will get better. They might sometimes struggle, but having a positive mindset and attitude will help them accomplish their goals. This isn’t far removed from the Disney Princess Snow White’s sentiment of “whistle while you work.”

“I Never Explain Anything.”

Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins

When Mary Poppins is hired to be the Banks’ nanny in the original movie, Mr. George Banks isn’t too thrilled with her. When he notices an outrage inside his home, he thinks that Mary isn’t doing her job properly, and he demands Mary to explain herself. He says, “Will you be good enough to explain all this?”

Mary delivers the perfect response to his demand: “First of all, I would like to make one thing perfectly clear … I never explain anything.” Mary feels she doesn’t have to explain what’s going on inside the Banks’ home. She hasn’t done anything wrong, so why explain? This response might not work for everyone, and it rightfully surprised Mr. Banks. Mary is someone who doesn’t apologize for who she is, and the audience can certainly take inspiration from that.

“Childhood Slips Like Sand Through A Sieve.”

Bert, Mary Poppins

There are certain times in their life when no one really wants to grow up, but it happens to everyone. Children mature and it’s often too quickly. So many adults look back on their lives and acknowledge how fleeting childhood was for them. Bert acknowledges this in his memorable Mary Poppins quote: “Childhood slips like sand through a sieve … and all too soon they’ve up and grown, and then they’ve flown.”

Before a parent realizes it, a child is ready to leave and start their own life. They’re ready to “fly the nest.” Mary Poppins reminds audiences to hold on to their childhood — because it’ll be over before they know it. It’s a bittersweet sentiment, but it’s also exactly why Mr. Banks needs to appreciate the time he has with his children.

“Let The Past Take A Bow. The Forever Is Now.”

Jack, Mary Poppins Returns

While Bert doesn’t appear in Mary Poppins Returns, there is a new character in Lin Manuel-Miranda’s Jack, who knew Bert and learned from his chimney-sweeping ways. It’s implied that he’s known Bert and Mary since he was a child himself. He’s got quite a few philosophical moments in the movie, encouraging the Banks family to let go of their past and move on to their new normal, whatever it may be.

His idea falls right in line with the theme of reminding the former Banks children and the new generation of Banks children how powerful their imaginations can be. Everyone is bogged down in being responsible and an adult, and Mary Poppins allows them all to take a step back (or forward, as the case may be) and be kids again by embracing their imaginations and the future.

“Why Do You Always Complicate Things That Are Really Quite Simple?”

Mary Poppin, Mary Poppins

When Mary Poppins and Bert the chimney sweep team up together in the film, it’s movie magic. Many fans even theorize that there has been a romantic relationship between the two characters at some point. When the duo takes the Banks children into an imaginative world, it’s a delightful adventure because they are having just as much fun as the children.

To step into this fantasy world, they must jump into a chalk drawing on the stone walkway. Of course, this isn’t realistic, but it’s a Disney movie, and it’s supposed to be a magical moment for the kids. At first, Bert’s instructions aren’t very clear to the Banks children. Mary sighs and tells him, “Why do you always complicate things that are really quite simple” before getting the kids into the animated world. Mary and Bert’s banter is part of the fun of the movie.

“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”

Bert and Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins

Quite possibly the most iconic song from the original Disney film, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” symbolizes everything magical and pure in the Disney classic. Much of the song is really nonsensical when listening to the lyrics, but it’s something that will have the audience tapping their feet as soon as it starts. The zany tune is a collaboration between Andrews and Van Dyke, and it’s a delightful song and dance number that’s fun for fans of all ages.

Fans might not be able to spell the word, and pronouncing it might also be a challenge, but it’s hard not to smile when listening to the song. Many a child has delighted in remembering how to spell the word and singing it to the adults in their lives. The word reminds fans to look for all the wonderful things in life.

“Don’t You Know That Everybody’s Got A Fairyland Of Their Own?”

P.L. Travers, writer of the Mary Poppins books

Travers famously didn’t love the Disney version of her story, but her ideas about imagination are embodied in
Mary Poppins
still.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone had a fantastical world that belonged only to them? This isn’t a dream in the Disney film. The movie references a quote from Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers: “Don’t you know that everybody’s got a Fairyland of their own?” Travers famously didn’t love the Disney version of her story, but her ideas about imagination are embodied in Mary Poppins still.

It’s everyone’s dream to have a place where they can go that’s only theirs — a magical place that no one can steal, where people can have fun and be themselves. It’s a beautiful message for young children (and adults) to always dream and never to lose their imagination. Travers’ quote is exactly in line with the character that she created who embraces imagination and the idea of an animated fantasy land.

“There’s A Different Point Of View Waiting If You Just Look Up.”

Jack, Mary Poppins Returns

Jack is a full supporter of Mary Poppins’ techniques in the sequel movie. He’s someone who grew up knowing about her, but unlike Jane and Michael, never lost his imaginative belief in her as an adult. As a result, Jack is by her side through much of the movie to help encourage the Banks family to embrace new ways of seeing the world. He wants the Banks family to see the world with as much wonder as he still does.

Just as Bert’s influence on the children in the first movie helped open their imaginations up to the world around them, so does Jack’s. Jack, however, also gets to interact with Michael and Jane, helping to remind the adults of the wonder of being a child too. Bert doesn’t get to do that with the Banks parents in the original movie.

“Let’s Go Fly A Kite!”

Mr. Banks, Mary Poppins

Towards the end of the movie, Mr. Banks finally realizes that he needs to spend more time with his children. He’s been harping on wanting his children to be more polite and better behaved in front of adults, but he hasn’t taken the time to notice that they just want to spend time with him. He needs to have fun, and the whole family is thrilled with his character development when the lightbulb goes off for him. He sings the iconic Mary Poppins quote, “Let’s go fly a kite!”

With this new realization, Mary Poppins’ job is done. She helped the Banks family find their sense of fun and connect again, and they don’t need her anymore. She taught Mr. Banks to have fun with his children, and she’s free to leave because the children now have both a loving mother and father. It’s a simple line, but one that signals a big change, and one of the best-known Mary Poppins lines to lead right into a song.

“Practically Perfect In Every Way.”

The Tape Measure, Mary Poppins

When the children ask to measure Mary, the results are exactly what Mary figured…

If the audience had to describe the titular nanny, one of the truly memorable Mary Poppins phrases would do the job: “Practically perfect in every way.” When Mary is getting acquainted with the Banks children, she spends a little bit of time pulling objects out of her pockets and seemingly bottomless bag. One of the things she uses is a special measuring tape to figure out Jane and Michael’s personalities. Michael is, “extremely stubborn and suspicious.” Jane, on the other hand, is, “rather inclined to giggle and doesn’t put things away.”

When the children ask to measure Mary, the results are exactly what Mary figured: She’s, “practically perfect in every way.” Mary Poppins is the best nanny the Banks children could have asked for, and she will always be a beloved “practically perfect” film character.

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  Mary Poppins

  Based on the classic book series by P.L. Travers, Mary Poppins stars Julie Andrews as the famous magical nanny, who arrives under mysterious means to look after the Banks children in early 1900s London. Considered one of Walt Disney’s crowning achievements, the film blends live-action and animation with whimsical storytelling and song and has been a staple children’s movie since its release in 1964.

  Director

  Robert Stevenson

  Release Date

  June 18, 1965

  Writers

  Don DaGradi , Bill Walsh

  Cast

  Karen Dotrice , Glynis Johns , Dick Van Dyke , David Tomlinson , Julie Andrews , Matthew Garber

  Runtime

  139 minutes

• 

  Mary Poppins Returns

  The long-awaited sequel to 1964’s Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins Returns stars Emily Blunt as the titular character, who returns to help the Banks family during the Great Depression after the death of the now-adult Michael Banks’ wife. While the original Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews, did not appear in the film, a few of the original film’s actors such as Karen Dotrice and Dick Van Dyke made cameo appearances. Besides Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Wishaw, Emily Mortimer, Colin Firth, and Meryl Streep star as part of the ensemble cast. 

  Director

  Rob Marshall

  Release Date

  December 19, 2018

  Writers

  David Magee

  Cast

  Lin-Manuel Miranda , Emily Blunt , Angela Lansbury , Meryl Streep , Joel Dawson , Julie Walters , Nathanael Saleh , Colin Firth , Emily Mortimer , Ben Whishaw , Pixie Davies , Dick Van Dyke

  Runtime

  2h 10m