Andy Rooney was born in 1919 and died in 2011 at the age of 92. He began his career in journalism in 1942 while he was in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He was a radio and television writer. His most notable work, other than his 15 books, was his weekly broadcast, “A few minutes with Andy Rooney” on “ 60 Minutes,” the CBS news program that he began in 1978 and continued to host until he passed away. He was a liberal and did not shy away from controversial issues. Indeed, on a couple of instances he ended up in hot waters.
Over the years, he had numerous quotes that were simple, straight forward, insightful, and yet so true and applicable in everyday life. Regardless of gender, age, or political inclination, many of these quotes apply to many of us, and are worth reflecting and pondering upon.
“I have learned,” he said:
- That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
- That when you are in love it shows.
- That just one person saying to me “You’ve made my day” makes my day.
- That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
- That being kind is more important than being right.
- That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.
- That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
- That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
- That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
- That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
- That money does not buy class.
- That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
- That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
- That love, not time, heals all wounds.
- That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
- That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
- That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
- That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
- That I wish I could have told my mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.
- That one should keep his words soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
- That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, you’re hooked for life.
- That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.
- That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.
- That computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but many of the things they make it easier to do don’t need to be done.
- That the Lord didn’t do it all in one day—what makes me think that I can?
- That I can’t choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.
- That it’s best to give advice in only two circumstances: when it it’s requested and it’s a life-threatening situation.
A lot to reflect upon.
Vart Adjemian
Latest posts by Vart Adjemian (see all)
- Armenia’s Unhealthy Legal Crisis - July 31, 2019
- The Major Hurdles We Face - March 27, 2019
- A Standoff and 2020 Elections - March 12, 2019
Thank you Vart Ajemian.
While some of what Andy Rooney said we have heard from pulpits, from parents and others, others are very personal and cannot be generalized.
Andy Rooney was definitely a mind conditioner and it seems he still is. Don’t we wish people would take time to write, or make their comments to good/not so good articles and ideas, instead of or in addition to posting “like”.
AMEN TO THAT