I still remember the first time I read Roald Dahl’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox” as a kid. Here I was, this scrawny little guy who felt like he didn’t quite fit anywhere, reading about a fox who somehow managed to bring together the most unlikely group of friends you could imagine.
The story hit me right in the chest—not just because of the adventure, but because of how Mr. Fox made everyone feel like they belonged somewhere. You know that feeling when someone sees you for who you really are and says, “Yeah, you’re exactly who we need”? That’s what this story does.
Here are 25+ Fantastic Mr Fox quotes that capture everything from laugh-out-loud moments to those deep insights that stick with you long after you close the book. Whether you’re a teacher looking for classroom gold, a student writing an essay, or just someone who needs a reminder about what real community looks like, these quotes will show you why Mr. Fox’s story still matters.
What you’ll get from this post:
- Famous quotes that reveal the heart of the story
- How these lines connect to real life (trust me, they do)
- Simple ways to use these quotes in your classroom or daily conversations
- A fresh look at why we still need Mr. Fox’s wisdom today
Let me share what I’ve learned from spending way too much time thinking about a talking fox and his friends.
The Heart of Community: When Everyone Has a Place
The thing about Mr. Fox that gets me every time is how he sees potential in everyone. I’ve been in plenty of groups where someone always feels left out, but Mr. Fox? He builds the kind of community where everybody matters.
1. “I therefore invite you all,” Mr Fox went on, ‘to stay here with me for ever.’ For ever!’ they cried. ‘My goodness How marvellous!'”
This moment gives me goosebumps every single time. Picture this: you’ve been struggling, maybe even starving, and someone looks you in the eye and says, “Stay with me. Forever.” Not because they pity you, but because they genuinely want you there. That’s what real belonging feels like.
2. “We will make,” said Mr Fox, “a little underground village, with streets and houses on each side – separate houses for Badgers and Moles and Rabbits and Weasels and Foxes. And every day I will go shopping for you all. And every day we will eat like kings.”
I love how specific Mr. Fox gets here. He doesn’t just say “we’ll figure it out.” He paints a picture where everyone has their own space but still belongs to something bigger. It reminds me of the best teams I’ve been part of—where you have your role, but you’re working toward the same goal.
3. “Then Mrs. Fox got shyly to her feet and said, ‘I don’t want to make a speech. I just want to say one thing, and it is this: MY HUSBAND IS A FANTASTIC FOX.'”
Sometimes the simplest praise hits the hardest. Mrs. Fox doesn’t give a long speech about leadership qualities or strategic thinking. She just says he’s fantastic, and somehow that means everything. That’s the kind of support that actually builds people up.
Leadership That Actually Works
Here’s what I’ve noticed about real leadership: it’s not about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about making everyone else feel smarter, braver, and more capable than they thought they were.
4. “They are starving to death and haven’t had a drink for three days, but they are still undefeated. I must not let them down.”
This quote shows you what responsibility really looks like. Mr. Fox doesn’t focus on how hard things are for him—he focuses on the people counting on him. I’ve seen this in the best managers I’ve worked with. When things get tough, they think about their team first.
5. “I understand what you’re saying, and your comments are valuable, but I’m gonna ignore your advice.”
I used to think good leaders always took everyone’s advice. But Mr. Fox shows us something different: sometimes you have to listen, acknowledge, and then trust your own judgment. It’s not arrogance—it’s responsibility.
6. “I think I have this thing where everybody has to think I’m the greatest. And if they aren’t completely knocked out and dazzled and slightly intimidated by me, I don’t feel good about myself.”
Now this is the kind of honesty that makes you respect someone. Mr. Fox admits he needs validation, just like the rest of us. The difference is he’s aware of it. Most people with ego problems won’t even acknowledge they have them.
Keeping Things Light When Life Gets Heavy
One thing that always impressed me about Mr. Fox’s crew is how they keep their sense of humor even when they’re literally fighting for their lives. That’s a skill worth learning.
7. “Badger: The cuss you are. Mr. Fox: The cuss am I? Are you cussing with me?”
This back-and-forth cracks me up every time. Even when they’re underground, scared, and running out of options, they’re still being playful with each other. That’s friendship right there—being able to joke around when everything else is falling apart.
8. “Cuss yeah you are.”
Sometimes the best response is the simplest one. There’s something refreshing about characters who don’t overcomplicate their emotions. They feel something, they say it. Done.
The Big Questions: Who Am I Really?
Here’s where the story gets deeper than you might expect. Mr. Fox doesn’t just ask “How do I survive?” He asks “Who am I supposed to be?”
9. “I’m saying this more as, what do I represent? Am I anything more than a fox?”
This question hits different when you’re an adult. We all have moments where we wonder if we’re living up to our potential or if we’re just going through the motions. Mr. Fox is asking the question most of us are afraid to ask out loud.
10. “You are far too respectable,” said Mr. Fox. “There’s nothing wrong with being respectable,” Badger said. “Look,” said Mr. Fox, “Boggis and Bunce and Bean… they are not respectable.”
This conversation makes me think about the difference between being good and being safe. Sometimes being respectable means staying quiet when you should speak up. Mr. Fox is arguing for a different kind of goodness—one that takes risks for the right reasons.
When Life Knocks You Down
The characters in this story face real hardship. They’re hungry, scared, and outgunned. But they don’t give up, and they don’t abandon each other.
11. “This place I am hoping to get to is so marvelous that if I described it to you now you would go crazy with excitement. And then, if we failed to get there (which is very possible), you would die of disappointment.”
I love Mr. Fox’s honesty here. He’s excited about the future, but he’s not selling false hope. He’s saying “This could be amazing, and it could also fail.” That’s the kind of realistic optimism that actually helps people.
12. “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to do what’s right in the face of fear.”
While this isn’t directly from Dahl, it captures exactly what Mr. Fox demonstrates throughout the story. He’s scared—he admits it—but he keeps doing what needs to be done anyway.
13. “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
This Nelson Mandela quote fits perfectly with Mr. Fox’s approach to setbacks. He doesn’t pretend things are easy. He just keeps getting back up.
The Power of Imagination
Mr. Fox’s superpower isn’t his speed or his cunning—it’s his ability to imagine a better world and then figure out how to build it.
14. “Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last you create what you will.”
George Bernard Shaw’s words here perfectly describe Mr. Fox’s process. He doesn’t just accept his current situation. He imagines something better and then makes it happen.
15. “All living things are interconnected. To tap into this interconnectedness, we must find the beauty in everything.”
This philosophy shows up throughout the story, even if it’s not stated this directly. Mr. Fox sees how everyone and everything is connected, and he uses that understanding to build community.
Living in Harmony
The animals in Mr. Fox’s world don’t dominate nature—they work with it. There’s a lesson there for all of us.
16. “The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”
John Muir’s wisdom fits perfectly with Mr. Fox’s world. These characters find their deepest truths not in buildings or cities, but in the natural world they call home.
17. “You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for people to come to you. You have to go to them.”
This adaptation of a Winnie the Pooh quote captures Mr. Fox’s proactive approach to building relationships. He doesn’t wait for community to come to him—he goes out and creates it.
Everyone Belongs Somewhere
One of the most beautiful things about Mr. Fox’s vision is how it includes everyone, regardless of their differences or limitations.
18. “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
Coretta Scott King’s words here describe exactly what Mr. Fox creates. His community isn’t great because everyone is perfect—it’s great because everyone looks out for each other.
19. “A true community is one that does not judge its members by their capabilities but by their vulnerabilities.”
This hits me hard every time I read it. Most groups want you to prove how useful you are. Mr. Fox’s group just wants you to be honest about who you really are.
Practical Wisdom for Daily Life
The story gives us quotes that apply to how we live, work, and treat each other every single day.
20. “When you know better, you do better.”
Maya Angelou’s wisdom here reflects Mr. Fox’s journey. He makes mistakes, learns from them, and does better next time. That’s all any of us can do.
21. “In the end, it is not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
Abraham Lincoln’s words remind us that Mr. Fox and his friends don’t just survive—they really live. They find joy, build relationships, and create meaning even in difficult circumstances.
22. “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.”
This Reagan quote perfectly describes Mr. Fox’s leadership style. He doesn’t try to do everything himself. He helps everyone else become their best selves.
23. “The art of living lies in being present in the moment.”
Throughout their adventures, Mr. Fox and his friends stay focused on what’s happening right now. They don’t get paralyzed by worrying about the future or dwelling on the past.
24. “The greatest challenge of the day will be the challenge of the day.”
This simple truth runs throughout the story. Each day brings its own problems, and Mr. Fox faces them as they come rather than borrowing trouble from tomorrow.
25. “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Saint Augustine’s quote captures the spirit of exploration that drives Mr. Fox and his friends. They don’t just accept their circumstances—they venture into new territories and discover new possibilities.
Why These Words Still Matter
Looking back at these 25 quotes, I see a pattern. Mr. Fox isn’t just a clever character who outsmarts the bad guys. He’s someone who understands what people really need: to feel valued, to belong somewhere, and to be part of something meaningful.
In a world where we’re more connected than ever but somehow lonelier, Mr. Fox’s approach to building community feels especially important. He doesn’t wait for permission to care about people. He doesn’t require them to earn their place. He just sees them, includes them, and helps them become the best versions of themselves.
These quotes work because they’re not abstract philosophy—they’re practical wisdom wrapped in memorable words. You can use them in classrooms to teach about leadership and community. You can share them with friends who need encouragement. You can even just keep them in your back pocket for the days when you need a reminder about what really matters.
The next time you’re in a group where someone feels left out, remember Mr. Fox’s invitation: “Stay here with me forever.” The next time you’re facing a challenge, remember his honesty about being scared but doing what’s right anyway. And the next time you have a chance to build something better, remember his vision of a place where everyone can eat like kings.
Take one of these quotes and try it out this week. Share it with someone who needs to hear it. Use it to start a conversation about what real community looks like. Or just let it remind you that even when things get tough, there’s always room for humor, hope, and the kind of belonging that makes everything else worthwhile.
What’s your favorite Mr. Fox quote, and how has it changed the way you think about leadership, community, or just getting through another day? Drop a comment and let me know—I’d love to hear your story.
