Bel Kaufman Quotes

The 40s onwards are when we can really begin to enjoy ourselves. For many women, this is when everything comes together, and they look better than ever. The great thing about getting older is you don't have to do/wear/say anything you don't want to. It wasn't until my very late 30s that I stopped worrying about what other people thought.

I suppose the only thing at 50 you can really start to look forward to is just total irresponsibility. As you get older, you can just sit in a chair, wear anything you want, you know you can walk down; old people dress cool. You know they wear sweatpants. The elderly have it down.

I don't feel like I have to please anyone. I feel free. I feel like I'm an adult. I'm grown. I can do what I want. I can say what I want. I can retire if I want. That's why I've worked hard.

I am old. My wish now is for an easy, easy life.

That's the joy of retirement - you're not trying to develop a career any more.

One of the good elements of old age is that we no longer have to prove anything, to ourselves or to anyone else. We are what we are.

I wish to live for myself. I should never want to be trapped.

At my age...I'm going to do what I want and I haven't got time for anything else.

Focus on yourself -- do what you want, when you want, without having to consider anyone else's agenda.

We want to know in order to make ourselves free. That is our life: one universal cry for freedom.

Just real. I want to have the freedom to do whatever I want. And more importantly, I want to have the freedom to bring everyone else along with me.

The only thing that can free you is the belief that you can be free.

If you want to be free be free

I belong wherever I want to be.

Diamonds aren't a girl's best friend. Freedom is.

My uncertain temper is cooling, as is my sense of racing against time to accomplish the things I want to. I don't have to go anywhere or see anyone I don't want to now, and it is a glorious feeling!

The greatest luxury is being free.

When I got to 40, I was happy. Now I can wear what I like, listen to what I like, don't have to try and be cool. I'm someone's dad and it doesn't matter any more. That's an enormous freedom.

I'm doing what I want to do.

Yes, you must have the courage of being free.

Please know that being 80 is not a scary thing. When you're 80, your life is much freer.

Believe me, the drug of freedom is universally potent.

I always hated the part when I had to look pretty. I love that I don't have to look pretty.

I want to be intentional about my freedom - in choosing it, honoring it, and protecting it. One of the best feelings I know is feeling truly free.

The main thing I believe in is freedom.