If you don’t learn constantly, you don’t grow and you will wither. Too many people wither on the vine. Sure, it gets a little harder as you get older, but new experiences and new challenges keep it fresh.
Iris ApfelRead
I had a very brilliant father who was not only intellectual, but was street-smart and very curious to boot. The day I found out that he didn't know everything, I grew up. It was a shock. I just thought that the man was the end-all of everything, and he knew the answer to everything. Then I found out I'd have to find out my own answers.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Realizing that even the most knowledgeable people don't have all the answers can lead to personal growth.
This quote reflects a transformative moment in the author's life, where the realization that her brilliant father, despite his intellect and wisdom, did not know everything, prompted her to take responsibility for her own learning and discovery. It underscores the importance of self-reliance and the journey toward independent thinking, highlighting that growth often comes from confronting the limitations of those we admire.
Themes
WisdomLearningSelf-DiscoveryGrowthCuriosity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a graduation speech to encourage students to seek their own paths.
More from Iris Apfel
All quotes →I'm happy. I give thanks every morning that I can get up, that I still have my husband with me. I'm extremely grateful. After all, how many 93-year-old cover girls do you know?
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I'm a practical person. Most fashion people live in the clouds, and they're full of it. I live like a human being - or, I try to - and I have to be intelligent; I have to be practical. I'm a great believer in common sense, and the older I get, I see that common sense is not that common.
Iris ApfelRead
People with a lot of money don't dress as well as people who have to make do, who have to be inventive. Those are the people who are always more interestingly dressed, I think. Everything I do, I do with gut instinct. If I think too much, it won't come out right.
Iris ApfelRead
I'm not out to preach. I just live my own life. I'm very happy if I can help somebody - that's wonderful. But it's up to them what they want to think about it or what they want to take away; it's their business, not mine.
Iris ApfelRead
I never had to look for confidence because I just wore what I wanted to wear. I would never wear anything to offend my husband or my mother, but outside of that, I always figured, I hope I'm not a rebel, and I hope everybody liked it. And if they didn't like it, it really was not going to disturb me because it was their problem, not mine.
Iris ApfelRead
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