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I think most of us become nicer as we get older, less…

“I think most of us become nicer as we get older, less judgmental, less full of certitude; life tends to knock a few corners of us as we go through. Cancer, divorce, teenagers, and other plagues make us give up on expecting ourselves - or life - to be perfect, which is a real relief.” quote by Molly Ivins
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“I think most of us become nicer as we get older, less judgmental, less full of certitude; life tends to knock a few corners of us as we go through. Cancer, divorce, teenagers, and other plagues make us give up on expecting ourselves - or life - to be perfect, which is a real relief.”

Molly Ivins

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

She reflects that aging and life challenges soften judgment and certainty, leading to acceptance of imperfection and relief from unrealistic expectations.

In simple terms: Getting older and facing hardships makes us less judgmental and more accepting of imperfection.

Key Takeaway

Embrace imperfection and let go of unrealistic expectations.

Themes

aging humility life challenges

Mood

reflective empathetic wise

Type

personal development philosophical

When to use this quote

  • dealing with illness
  • divorce recovery
  • parenting teenagers
  • coping with loss
  • self‑acceptance

Key Concepts

psychology personal growth resilience acceptance

Questions to Reflect On

  • What lessons have hardships taught you about expectations?
  • How can we cultivate humility without losing confidence?
A Different Perspective

Even with acceptance, some may still struggle with regret or grief.

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