Jean Rostand Quotes

The misery of a child is interesting to a mother, the misery of a young man is interesting to a young woman, the misery of an old man is interesting to nobody.

I can't stand that - those women in 'Waiting to Exhale' now. I can't stand them. But that's because I'm 53 and not 33. But what they were experiencing at 33, I identified with it.

Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young.

Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.

I have a feeling that books are a lot like people - they change as you age, so that some books that you hated in high school will strike you with the force of a revelation when you're older.

Old people are often impatient, but for what?

I guess the older I get, the more understanding and forgiving I've become.

I think as you get older, there are things that there's just no light side to, but you know, I guess the more you empathise with people, the more empathy you have, the less you are able to see the lighter side.

Compromise and tolerance are magic words. It took me 40 years to become philosophical.

When we are out of sympathy with the young, then I think our work in this world is over.

A young man is a theory, an old man is a fact.

The great thing about getting older is that you become more mellow. Things aren't as black and white, and you become much more tolerant. You can see the good in things much more easily rather than getting enraged as you used to do when you were young.

I wouldn't be young again even if it were possible, but I am not going to pretend that growing old is all sweetness and light.

Age, what is it? It's not a figure that has ever meant anything to me.

You become more tolerant when you become older. You're not interested in rapping people over the knuckles; you're interested in understanding them.

Next to the young, I suppose the very old are the most selfish.

The advantage of age is that you swap youth for wisdom. You're so full of insecurities when you're young. 'Who am I? What do I have to do for people to like me?' You get caught up in things. You get very emotional about things.

As far as my mindset changing, I see myself having more empathy in my older age.

With age comes a greater understanding and a greater worldview.

I always try to find the kids that's getting on your nerves - because your instinct let you know they pushing you out the way, you getting old. And you don't let that bother you, have fun! You ain't got to hang out with them, but you can work with them.

I was always proud of being tough-minded, and I think I still am, but in my old age I've got a little softer in the head, and that's all right.

Growing older has helped me become empathetic to other people and their reasons for making choices. I used to think there was a definitive right and wrong and that only I knew what they were and so I should be dictator of the world.

I think one of my best qualities is my ability to empathize with people. Perhaps it's because my journey has been so bumpy.

The more life you live, the more you are able to understand the experiences of other people. It's one of the few benefits of getting older.

Now, five years is nothing in a man's life except when he is very young and very old... - Wang Lung