From Mary Poppins to Ratatouille, 7 Disney quotes to add sparkle and imagination to your next essay

Context: In the words of Mary Poppins, an imaginative nanny, a “pie-crust promise” is an empty promise that is easy to say but hard to keep.

Example: My brother has promised to wash the dishes once a week, but I know once the new video game comes out, he’ll forget about his words. That’s a pie-crust promise – easily made, easily broken.

Context: In Aladdin, Princess Jasmine speaks up to the suitors trying to win her over, saying: “How dare you – all of you, standing around deciding my future? I am not a prize to be won.” She is asserting that a person should not be reduced to being an object for someone else’s use.

Example: Parents should not treat their kids as investments or prizes to be won but as unique individuals with different passions.

Context: As Hercules battles against the monster Cyclops, he is close to giving up. Then, his mentor Philoctetes shows up to encourage him to keep trying. He says: “Quitting is for rookies. I came back because I’m not giving up on you. I’m willing to go the distance.” A rookie is someone who is just starting out, and Philoctetes doesn’t want Hercules to just give up and stay a rookie – he wants him to go all the way and succeed.

Example: It might seem like an insurmountable task, but you’re only a step away from your dream – quitting is for rookies. Don’t give up your chance.

Context: In Beauty and the Beast, the prologue starts: “She warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within.” A vain prince is criticised for judging people by how they look without considering their character. This phrase is a reminder that someone’s inner beauty – such as kindness, intelligence or courage – is the most important.

Example: Beauty is found within, so get to know someone beyond their social media.

Context: The only thing holding you back is how far you are willing to push yourself to achieve your dreams. In Ratatouille, Remy, a rat who loves cooking, was inspired by Chef Gusteau’s words: “You must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul.”

Example: Becoming a lawyer or doctor isn’t the only path to success – your only limit is your soul.

Context: In Meet the Robinsons, Lewis, a young inventor, doubts his ability to fix an important machine, but his friend Wilbur encourages him by explaining how his father kept moving forward after each failure and eventually built a time machine. When things in life do not go as planned, it gives people an opportunity to learn something new.

Example: From failure, we learn – from success, not so much. If our experiment hadn’t completely fallen apart last month, our team would never have pivoted and found a better solution.

Context: Doing what is good or kind is often the more difficult option. In Pocahontas, John Smith and Pocahontas are faced with a seemingly impossible task, but the wise Grandmother Willow encourages them to take a leap to create the change they want to see.

Example: We must work together to deal with climate change and prioritise the environment over convenience. Sometimes, the right path is not the easiest one.