The world met Paddington bear, a fictional character from British children's literature, when he first appeared in the 1958 children's book, A Bear Called Paddington, by British author Michael Bond.
Since then, a book about Paddington has turned into a world of Paddington, as the friendly, polite and kind-hearted bear has appeared in nearly 30 books, a number of TV adaptations, and a couple very successful films in Paddington (2017) and Paddington 2 (2017), with a third one, Paddington in Peru, just arriving in theaters.
Get tickets for Paddington in Peru
Paddington bear can usually be seen with his old hat, battered suitcase, duffel coat and a marmalade sandwich or two. He may just be a small bear, but Paddington's adventures have proven time and time again that he is also a wise bear with endless charm, one who has served as an inspiration to kids and adults alike for decades with his positivity and joy.
And he spreads those things through the words that he says, often reciting wise and wonderful things that people have told him in the past. We've gathered ten of the most iconic quotes from the Paddington movies. Most are spoken by Paddington, voiced by Ben Whishaw, but we've included words of wisdom from a few of his friends as well.
So let's gather at the Brown family home at 32 Windsor Gardens, share some marmalade sandwiches and see how a little bear called Paddington has made such a big impact.
“It's called a hard stare. My aunt taught me to do them when people had forgotten their manners.”
– Paddington, from Paddington (2014)
“Aunt Lucy said: ‘If we're kind and polite, the world will be right.’”
– Paddington, from Paddington 2 (2017)
“It doesn't matter that he comes from the other side of the world, or that he's a different species. Or that he has a worrying marmalade habit. We love Paddington. And that makes him family!”
– Henry Brown, from Paddington (2014)
“I'll never be like other people, but that's alright, because I'm a bear. A bear called Paddington.”
– Paddington, from Paddington (2014)
“Aunt Lucy would never give up on me. We have to find her.”
– Paddington, from Paddington in Peru (2025)
“Mrs. Brown says that in London everyone is different, and that means anyone can fit in. I think she must be right – because although I don’t look like anyone else, I really do feel at home.”
– Paddington, from Paddington (2014)
“Open your minds, and your legs will follow.”
– Chakrabatics Instructor, from Paddington 2 (2017)
“My body had travelled fast, but my heart... she took a little longer to arrive.”
– Mr. Gruber, from Paddington (2014)
“Aunt Lucy always says: ‘You can take the bear out of the jungle. But you can’t take the jungle out of the bear.’”
– Paddington, from Paddington in Peru (2025)
