The Most Memorable Quotes From Mary Poppins

“Let’s go fly a kite!” Since 1964, families have loved the Disney live-action musical, Mary Poppins. It’s an endearing classic that brings joy to fans of all ages. From the first time the audience sees Mary Poppins, it’s a thrilling adventure and everyone wants a nanny like Mary.

The movie has memorable quotes that fans still reference today. 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.

Updated on January 31st, 2022 by Amanda Bruce: 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 still has a way with words. Mary Poppins quotes will always be iconic.

Mary Poppins Teaches Manners In The Original Movie

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

While a lot of Mary Poppins’ lines in the movie are meant to foster imagination and make following the rules fun, this one also reveals that she knows how to make admonishments 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.

Mary Uses Imagery To Get Her Point Across In The Original Movie

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

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.

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.

Mary Still Has Her Love Of Wordplay In Mary Poppins Returns

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

In the original movie, Mary keeps an air of mystery about her despite all of the magical things happening in plain sight. 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, she does the same, drawing their attention to exactly how they speak and exactly what they mean, even as she’s teaching them lessons and getting them to use their imagination. While some audience members complained that Emily Blunt and Julie Andrews weren’t exactly the same 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.

Mr. Dawes Lacks Imagination In The Original Movie

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

Out of context, this line isn’t anything special. When the audience, however, sees Mr. Dawes swoop in and take Michael’s money from him when saying it, however, it’s a sign of a lack of imagination.

The man in charge of the bank has one thing on his mind, and that’s making money. He 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 his lack of imagination. This line only solidifies that.

Bert Tells Dad Jokes In The Original Movie

“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?'”

If Mary Poppins loves a good metaphor, Bert loves a good dad joke. He 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, but Bert, Michael, and Jane laughing uproariously during tea time clues them in.

Compared to some of the most iconic lines from the songs in the movie, this one might not be as memorable, but it’s likely that nearly every child who sees the movie tries their hand at retelling the joke at least once.

Mary Still Encourages Imagination In The Sequel

“Everything Is Possible, Even The Impossible.”

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. Even while wanting children to have good manners, she still wants them to be children.

Whether she’s 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. 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.

Mrs. Banks Fights For Women’s Rights In The Original Movie

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

This particular Mary Poppins quote seems pretty mean-spirited at first, but Mrs. Banks is actually trying to make a larger point to her friends. 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, which is the entire reason for this line.

Mrs. Banks has been working tirelessly in hopes that women will be allowed to vote and act independently of their husbands. 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.

Bert Prefaces A Song With A Little Magic In The Original Movie

“Winds In The East, Mist Coming In.”

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.

Mary Helps Put Grief In Perspective In The Sequel

“You Can’t Lose What You Never Lost.”

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 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.

Bert Sees The World As Full Of Opportunity In The Original Movie

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

Mary Poppins is undeniably one of the most inspirational and important Disney films of all time. It is filled with one encouraging, motivating line 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 realize this and they don’t see the world. 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.

Mary Poppins Knows The Value Of Something Sweet In The Original Movie

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

Mary Poppins could make anything seem fun, even 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 spirits. If a person is joyful, things will get better. They might struggle every now and then, but having a positive mindset and attitude will help accomplish goals.

Mary Poppins Makes No Apologies For Who She Is

“I Never Explain Anything.”

When Mary 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 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 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, but 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.

Bert Gets Philosophical In The First Movie

“Childhood Slips Like Sand Through A Sieve.”

No one really wants to grow up, but it happens to everyone. Children mature and it’s often too quickly. Bert acknowledges this in his memorable line: “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.

Jack Is Just As Philosophical In The Sequel

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

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. He’s got quite a few philosophical moments himself, encouraging the Banks family to let go of their past and move on in their new normals.

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

Mary And Bert Have Fun Banter In The Original Movie

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

When Mary and Bert team up together in the film, it’s movie magic. Many fans even ship the two characters. When the duo takes the Banks children into an imaginative world, it’s a delightful adventure.

To step into this fantasy world, they must jump into a chalk drawing. Of course, this isn’t realistic, but it’s a Disney movie and it’s supposed to be magical. 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?” Mary and Bert’s banter is part of the fun of the movie.

Mary Poppins Teaches Kids To Spell An Impossible Word

“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”

Quite possibly the most iconic song from the original Disney film, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” symbolizes everything magical and pure in the Disney classic. 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. The word reminds fans to look for all the wonderful things in life.

P.L. Travers Created Mary Poppins And Her World

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

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?”

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.

Jack Helps Encourage Seeing New Points Of View In The Sequel

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

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 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.

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.

George Banks Embraces His Imagination At The End Of Mary Poppins

“Let’s Go Fly A Kite!”

Towards the end of the movie, Mr. Banks realizes that he needs to spend more time with his children. He needs to have fun, and the whole family is thrilled with his character development. He sings, “Let’s go fly a kite!”

With this new realization, Mary Poppins’ job is done. She fixed the Banks family 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.

In Both Movies, Mary Poppins Is The Best

“Practically Perfect In Every Way.”

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 uses 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 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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