How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"What a stupid bull!" said Pippi to Annika, who was crying uncontrollably. "He ought to know he can't act like that. He'll get Tommy's white sailor suit all dirty. I'll have to go and talk some sense into the stupid animal." (6.50)
Pippi's ideas of what's right and wrong are interesting at times, to say the least. Most people would be worried for Tommy's safety in this situation, but for Pippi it comes down to a matter of principle: the bull isn't being very respectful, and he may dirty Tommy's clothes, which Pippi knows would be an unfortunate circumstance for her friend.
Even more interesting is the way Pippi extends principles to animals as a matter of fact, which could suggest another possible Pippi principle: that people and animals should live in harmony.
Quote #8
"Well, well, so you aren't going to be a maidservant this time?" said Pippi, stroking his back. "Oh, that was a lie, that's true," she continued. "But still, if it's true, how can it be a lie?" she argued. "You wait and see, it's going to turn out to be true that he was a maidservant in Arabia after all […]." (6.63)
Ha—we love this. Once again Pippi's playing with truth and lies and right and wrong, suggesting that things aren't always as black and white as they may seem.
Quote #9
As they were going out of the door Pippi came running after them and gave them each a gold piece. "These you have honestly earned," she said. (8.64)
If nothing else, you have to agree that Pippi has a strong work ethic. She cooks and cleans and maintains her household, cares for a couple of high maintenance pets, and spent nine years adventuring on the sea to earn her gold pieces. And she's not about to allow anyone else to help themselves to money they haven't earned. But after employing the burglars for the evening, she's happy to give them their due.