How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Pippi thought a moment. "You're right," she said sadly, "I am lying."
"It's wicked to lie," said Annika, who had at last gathered up enough courage to speak.
"Yes, it's very wicked to lie," said Pippi, even more sadly. "But I forget it now and then." (1.20-22)
Annika, who we know is very well-dressed and clean and proper, is kind of set up as the pinnacle of principled living, so it's fitting that she's the one to remind Pippi how wicked it is to lie. Pippi's response, however, suggests that maybe Annika needs to relax a little and embrace another set of principles: the ability to laugh, the compassion to forgive, and the humility to admit when you're wrong.
Quote #2
"No, no, Pippi we can't take an old gentleman! We couldn't possibly," said Tommy. "Anyway, whatever would we do with him?"
"What would we do with him? Oh, there are plenty of things we could do with him. […] But if you don't want to, I don't care. Though it does bother me to think that some other Thing-Finder may come along and grab him." (2.36-39)
Pippi rarely gives in on things that are important to her—just ask the police officers—but she gives in immediately when Tommy objects to taking an old man during their thing-finding expedition. Which leads us to believe she was just having a bit of fun. It seems like Pippi does this a lot, actually—like when she knows the capital of Portugal but doesn't give it up right away, or when she hides things for Tommy and Annika to find and pretends to be surprised about it. Could be there's more principle in Pippi than meets the eye.
Quote #3
When they were back home in Pippi's garden, Pippi said, "Dear me, how awful! Here I found two beautiful things and you didn't get anything. You must hunt a little more." (2.63)
After Tommy and Annika find their treasures and go home, they wonder if maybe Pippi planted the necklace and the journal for them to find. What do you think? If she did hide the objects, she had to have done it long before Tommy and Annika ever showed up that morning. What does that suggest about Pippi and about her plans for the day (and about her principles)?