Best Quotes

Still, beyond these quotes describing a zillion forces that seem to precede man in terms of superiority, a wide array of selections lay-capturing fine details of why humanity is a force to reckon with, even for a certain superior race of aliens. This article will reveal the best and most worthwhile quotes from Madeleine L’Engle’s ‘A Wrinkle in Time.’

Quote Describing Love

To love is to be vulnerable, and it is only in vulnerability and risk — not safety and security — that we overcome darkness.

This is one of several powerful quotes from ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ and should be mentioned here. Love is arguably the most pervasive theme in the book, so it makes sense that the narrator takes that incentive to aptly explain what love is and the consequences of loving someone. 

According to the narrator – who takes the author’s point of view, love is the last thing one should expect to be perfect because it is not. It is unselfish, puts you at risk, and urges you to trust someone with questionable character – thus leaving you vulnerable and at their mercy. 

But for the greater good to be achieved, love must be given a chance and then back with faith in the recipient and hope that they will come good. The lesson is evident at several points in the book: between Meg and her father, the children, and the three strange women, and with Meg and Cavin O’keefe. The biggest triumph of love over darkness is seen with the final action when Meg exploits the virtue to rescue her brother Charles Wallace from the grasp of IT.

Quote on Hope 

Nothing is hopeless; we must hope for everything.

Mrs. Who, one of the three strange women, uses this line to inspire the children in their adventure to save Mr. Murry – when times become bleak, and all hope seems to have been lost.

The children encounter many setbacks at various points. The first is on planet Orion when The Happy Medium shows them all the evil being orchestrated in the universe, but she also gives them a glimmer of hope by showing them the good that is quietly fighting it.

Secondly follows the actual clash on Camazotz with the man with red eyes and the minions hovering over the planet controlled by the darkness through IT. Throughout the book, we see how hope is dashed but then quickly restored again by chance, and even when it feels like there is no other way out, a new inspiration erupts to create one out of nothing.

God’s plan

We were sent here for something. And we know that all things work together for good them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

This is a beautiful excerpt added to the book by the author reaffirming the ultimate morals and where the book stands. L’Engle had an episcopalian background and so wrote ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ as a faith-based novel – even though she was dealing with science fiction and the supernatural narrative.

The excerpt itself is inspired by the scriptural book of Romans 8:28 – and resonates with the purpose of the characters in the book. The lines express the mentality of the adventurers, Meg, and her companions, so that when they face difficult moments, they reassure themselves that God will come through for them because their task is for the greater good and that they are made for such purpose.

Looks are Deceiving 

People are more than just the way they look.

This is another moral that ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ teaches. It reignites the notion that looks are deceiving and appearance isn’t always the reality. This system comes to light from the mouth of Meg’s mother, Mrs. Murry, who tries to teach Meg not to look down or think less of people just because of the way they appear or look.

Mrs. Murry tells Meg these words after she wonders why her little brother Charles Wallace is so different and unusual. Variety, they say, is the spice of life. Being different is what makes us peculiar and special in our own way, and it’s okay if it doesn’t make sense to the next person. With time Meg soon finds out how special Charles Wallace is at the cause of their adventure to save their father.

Admiration and Affection 

Well, you know what, you’ve got dream-boat eyes, Calvin said. Listen, you go right on wearing your glasses. I don’t think I want anybody else to see what gorgeous eyes you have.

Calvin expresses his admiration for Meg – with a bit of a flirtation here. Only a moment ago, they hardly knew each other, and back in school, Meg is known as the weird one, hardly liked for anything. But now that Calvin has seen the qualities of Meg, he is impressed by her – and even calls her beautiful.

In a way, we sometimes judge someone from afar and by what people or society say of them without even caring to come closer to them and get to know them well. Calvin learns this lesson and realizes that Meg is a far better person than what the stereotype in their class says of her.

On Having a Unique Identity 

Maybe I don’t like being different, Meg said. But I don’t want to be like everybody else, either.

Striving for one’s own identity sets one apart, gives one relevance, and helps one have a meaningful impact in the long term. Even the creator knows how important this is that he blesses everyone with different talents, suited to their being.

Our lead character Meg apparently knows this and proves that by offering this wise statement in her defense of not fitting in quite well with her peers. She might have been only 13 years old, but she is mature and confident enough not to be subdued by peer pressure so that she does not uphold her own unique identity.

Good vs Bad 

There will no longer be so many pleasant things to look at if responsible people do not do something about the unpleasant ones.

Good people must strive to take responsibility in order to address bad people or situations, and as soon as the good ones start sleeping on their jobs, the bad, irresponsible ones become unstoppable and gradually quiet the goodness in society. 

This nugget of wisdom just about caps the whole plot of the book. Meg and her companion are the good guys who are taking responsibility for exterminating an entire planet of evil, irresponsible minions of a particular dark force, IT. Given, it’s a daunting job, but someone has to do it, and as the quote rightly says, the good ones, no matter how few or outnumbered they are, must always take responsibility and speak out against evil atrocities or risk the world (or in this case the universe) being turned into a brutish and loveless place.

On Talent and Abilities

But of course, we can’t take any credit for our talents. It’s how we use them that counts.

This excerpt by Mrs. Whatsit is in effect so both the adventuring children and readers understand that everyone is important to the cause and has their special talents to contribute meaningfully to the progress of whatever good project they might be part of.

These talents and individual peculiarities could manifest in the form of even the most basic of things, such as being observant or having a knack for talking too much. Mrs Whatsit points out here that having these talents is not bad in itself, but it’s how you use them in the end that matters.

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