Age Quote by Mary Catherine Bateson
![“We never promised we would stay the same,/But only we would shape our change/From this now single clay. [p. 82]” quote by Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/011/mary-catherine-bateson-11582_age_we-never-promised-we-would-stay-the-same_209661.jpg)
““ We never promised we would stay the same,/But only we would shape our change/From this now single clay. [p. 82]””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Future of Learning by Mary Catherine Bateson, 2008
Change is inevitable, but we can actively shape it rather than remain static.
In simple terms: We can shape change.
Key Takeaway
Embrace transformation.
Themes
change
growth
agency
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- organizational change
- education
- social movements
Key Concepts
self‑determination
plasticity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you actively shape your current circumstances?
- What habits help you adapt to change?
A Different Perspective
Assumes agency that may not exist for everyone.
![“It's all about being in control of myself as an older woman who lives alone, and it's all about how I am going to do what I have to do to be as strong as I can be and be confident that I can do what I need to do as an older person. [p. 62]” quote by Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/94e/mary-catherine-bateson-11582_age_it-s-all-about-being-in-control-of-mysel_17830.jpg)
![“The critical question about regret is whether experience led to growth and new learning. Some people seem to keep on making the same mistakes, while others at least make new ones. Regret and remorse can be either paralyzing or inspiring. [p. 199]” quote by Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/72f/mary-catherine-bateson-11582_critical_the-critical-question-about-regret-is-wh_20978.jpg)
![“Moving is both liberating and debilitating. Undertaken too late, it is a very stressful process, one that sometimes seems to catapult people into frail old age, and undertaken too soon, it may preempt other possibilities. [p. 38]” quote by Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d68/mary-catherine-bateson-11582_age_moving-is-both-liberating-and-debilitati_277245.jpg)
