“The great secret that all old people share is that you really haven't ...” — Doris Lessing Quote

“The great secret that all old people share is that you really haven't changed in seventy or eighty years. Your body changes, but you don't change at all. And that, of course, causes great confusion.”

“What society doesn't realize is that in the past, ordinary people respected learning. They respected books, and they don't now, or not very much. That whole respect for serious literature and learning has disappeared.”

“What is a hero without love for mankind.”

“Rashness belongs to youth; prudence to old age.”

“I think when the full horror of being fifty hits you, you should stay home and have a good cry.”

“I was actually born in New York. We lived there until I was three so I grew up watching Sesame Street and hearing the accent. You are a sponge at that age, soaking everything up.”