More from Bel Kaufman
The preciousness of every moment is emphasized with every tick of the clock. Isn’t it a magnificent day today?
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman I suggest just Good and Bad at the end of the term on report cards. Or maybe nothing. Frank Allen
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman I am writing this during my lunch period, because I need to reach towards the outside world of sanity, because I am overwhelmed by the sheer weight of the clerical work still to be done, and because at this hour of the morning normal ladies are still sleeping.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman To the outside world, of course, this job is a cinch: 9 to 3, five days a week, two months’ summer vacation with pay, all legal holidays, prestige and respect.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman Time collapses and expands like an erratic accordion.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman Education can’t make us all leaders, but it can teach us which leader to follow.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman The clerical work is par for the course. “Keep on file in numerical order” means throw in wastebasket. You’ll soon learn the language.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman “Language Arts Dept.” is the English office; “literature based on child’s reading level and experiential background” means that’s all they’ve got in the Book Room; “non-academic-minded” is a delinquent; and “It has come to my attention” means you’re in trouble.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman The heart has its reasons; it’s the mind that’s suspect.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman When giving comes directly from the heart, it can never disappoint or embarrass.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman If a teacher wants to know something why doesn’t she look it up herself instead of making we students do it? We benefit ourselves more by listening to her, after all she’s the teacher!
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman Laughter keeps you healthy. You can survive by seeing the humor in everything. Thumb your nose at sadness; turn the tables on tragedy.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman Best marks go to cheaters and memorizers. Marks depend on memorizing and not on real knowledge. When you cram into your head for a test you may get a high mark but forget it the next day. That’s not an education.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman “Let it be a challenge to you” means you’re stuck with it; “interpersonal relationships” is a fight between kids; “ancillary civic agencies for supportive discipline” means call the cops.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman I so enjoy being old because for the first time I don’t have to do anything-work, teach, study. I feel very good about myself-and at my age I can say no to anything now if I don’t want to do it. What a liberating word.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman I had used my sense of humor; I had called it proportion, perspective. But perspective is distance.
Bel KaufmanBel Kaufman
Original quotes
From our community writers
We were dirt poor but we had each other. We didn’t need much to have a lot.
Brad NeatonBrad Neaton Always show kindness and love to others. Your words might be filling the empty places in someone else heart.
Alexander KandovAlexander Kandov One quick sip of your memory I let it slip, and I go on without you.
Emma SchippersEmma Schippers If the scars on my heart were visible to the naked eye, maybe you’d think twice about inflicting more.
Laura Natoli-KearneyLaura Natoli-Kearney I am getting better at forgetting you. I am slowly but steadily learning the art of forgetting you.
Juana GarciaJuana Garcia Paper and pen petrify me, for they pierce right through me, drawing deep blue blood, leaving me utterly cold.
Shreya JoshiShreya Joshi Spend time with people who get excited over even the smallest victories you earn.
Sonia SabnisSonia Sabnis I wonder if you were the poison or the antidote.
Ginnie BaleGinnie Bale
Meet the writers
More on cliche
It is a cliche that most cliches are true, but then like most cliches, that cliche is untrue.
Stephen FryStephen Fry There is a cliche that men want their women to be ladies in public and hookers behind closed doors.
Al GoldsteinAl Goldstein The challenge, really, on any new film is to try to avoid that and achieve a few moments that aren’t cliche.
Adrian GostickAdrian Gostick I didn’t really think in terms of clichés or non-clichés.
Abdellatif KechicheAbdellatif Kechiche I think people are always able to achieve more than they think they can. While that’s cliche, I don’t know if managers think about that enough. You have to set your sights extremely high.
Aaron LevieAaron Levie Maybe it’s enough just to live life moment to moment. The most cliche but a true reminder: The past is gone and the future is not guaranteed.
Anand ThakurAnand Thakur I cried over beauty, I cried over pain, and the other time I cried because I felt nothing. I can’t help it. I’m just a cliché of myself.
Keanu ReevesKeanu Reeves Staring off into the sunset isn’t cliche at all.
Olivia RodrigoOlivia Rodrigo
