The BFG: Separating Real Quotes From the Ones People Think He Said

If you grew up reading Roald Dahl’s The BFG, you probably remember the Big Friendly Giant’s gentle voice, his whimsical way of speaking, and the joy of learning “gobblefunking” words. But over the years, many quotes have been falsely attributed to him — often by well-meaning fans who love the charm of his character. Let’s take a closer look at which quotes actually come from the book, and which ones have simply taken on a life of their own.

“Dreams are extremely important. You can’t do better than dream.”

This quote often circulates online with the BFG as the speaker, but it doesn’t appear in The BFG in this exact form. The BFG does speak about dreams often — especially about catching and blowing them into children’s bedrooms. He believes dreams have power and meaning, and he even explains how nightmares are made. However, this polished version of the quote is likely a paraphrase or adaptation inspired by his musings, not a direct line from the book.

“Human beans is always thinking only about themselves.”

This one is real — and it perfectly captures the BFG’s perspective on humans. He often refers to people as “human beans” and expresses disappointment at their selfishness. This line appears in the book when the BFG is explaining to Sophie why he refuses to eat people, unlike the other giants who gobble them up. His gentle moral compass shines through this observation.

“The darkest hour is just before the dawn.”

This quote, often shared in motivational contexts, is not something the BFG ever says. It’s actually a variation of a saying that dates back centuries and has been attributed to various historical figures. While the BFG does offer wisdom and comfort to Sophie, especially in scary moments, this particular phrase doesn’t come from him — or even Dahl’s pen.

“We is made of stories, girlchild. We is made of wonders and worries.”

This poetic line sounds like it could be from the BFG, but it’s not in the book. It’s a beautiful sentiment, but it’s been created by fans or writers who wish to channel his voice. The BFG does speak fondly of stories and dreams, but this specific phrasing is not from The BFG.

“A human bean who gobbles up other human beans? That is not a nice thing.”

Yes! This line is absolutely real and is one of the BFG’s most defining moments. When Sophie learns that other giants eat people, she’s horrified — and the BFG is equally horrified that humans can be so cruel. This quote highlights his deep sense of right and wrong, and it’s a key moment in the book when Sophie begins to understand the difference between the BFG and the other giants.

“Somethings is better than nothings.”

Yes! This classic BFG-ism is not only real — it’s one of his most quoted lines. He says this to Sophie during a moment of scarcity, reminding her that even a little bit of something is still valuable. It’s a small but powerful example of his wisdom and gentle humor.

The BFG’s voice is so distinct and memorable that it’s easy to see why people want to keep quoting him — even when they’re not quoting him accurately. But if you’re curious to hear more from the BFG himself, you can talk to him directly on HoloDream. Ask him about dreams, giants, or what he really thinks about “human beans.”