Posted By Dan Greenfield on Nov 26, 2024 | 4 comments

A birthday salute to the late, great CHARLES SCHULZ, born 102 years ago, on Nov. 26, 1922…

By JIM BEARD

All I really need to know I learned from Linus.

I’ve said it before, but Peanuts by Charles Schulz is the gift that keeps on giving, now long past the great man’s passing. For me in particular, I’ve lived my life according to the things I learned from my spirit animal, Linus Van Pelt, and I feel I’m the better for it.

Don’t believe me? Can’t see how a blanket-carrying little kid with unruly hair and an overbearing big sister could steer me on my path down the road of life? Well, then, buckle in, you blockhead, because I’m about to impart some Van Pelt Wisdom on you in 13 life lessons. And you’ll thank me when it’s over.

Happy Birthday, Sparky! We miss you, but you live on in the wise words of the ol’ gang!

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Intelligence Is Nothing to be Ashamed of. It all depends on how you use it, of course, and for what.

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Stand Up for the Security You Need. Everyone has a desire to be safe and secure. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.

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A Little Infatuation is OK Now and Then. Just maybe keep it to yourself if you can.

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What Doesn’t Kill You Can Make You Stronger. That includes overbearing older siblings. Trust me on this one.

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Be There for Your Friends When They Need It. And that’s even if they’re wishy-washy.

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It Doesn’t Matter What Someone Else Looks Like. They may be judging you, too.

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Dogs Are Man’s Best Friend. Although they can be a little weird sometimes.

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Even the Best of Us Can Feel Socially Awkward. But let’s not get too crazy with it, OK?

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Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. Lots of people struggle with memorizing long biblical passages.

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Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness. And remember: God is dog spelled backwards.

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An Industrious Man Is Admired Wherever He Goes. Everyone likes a good round of pool.

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Try to Be Pleasant in Every Situation. Being nice and offering a cheerful word doesn’t have to make sense; it just has to bring light into a life.

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Not Everyone Loves School. Everything you encounter can be a classroom.

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MORE

— 13 Great PEANUTS Storylines: A CHARLES M. SCHULZ Birthday Celebration. Click here.

— GOOD GRIEF! What If DC COMICS’ Heroes and Villains Were PEANUTS Characters? Click here.

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When JIM BEARD’s not editing and publishing through his two houses, Flinch Books and Becky Books, he’s pounding out adventure fiction with both original and licensed characters. In fact, he’s put words in the mouths of Luke Skywalker, Superman, Fox Mulder, Carl Kolchak, Peter Venkman and the Green Hornet… and lived to tell about it. His latest book is the newly edited and expanded re-release The Lemon Herberts: World Tour, available here.