I never meet anyone nowadays who admits to having had a happy childhood. Everyone appears to think happiness betokens a lack of sensitivity.

Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies.
Nobody that matters, that is.

Childhood's logic never asks to be proved (all conclusions are absolute).

Childhood has no forebodings; but then, it is soothed by no memories of outlived sorrow.

It is only just that anything that grows up on its own should feel it has nothing to repay for an upbringing which it owes no one.

He who lives as children live — who does not struggle for his bread and does not believe that his actions possess any ultimate significance — remains childlike.

People with happy childhoods never overdo; they don't strive or exert themselves. They're moderate, pleasant, well liked, and good citizens. Society needs them. But the tremendous drive and dedication necessary to succeed in any field- not only show business- often seems to be rooted in a disturbed childhood. I wasn't an unloved or an unwanted child, but I was moved around a lot, and then death and cruel circumstances brought many painful separations.

People who get nostalgic about childhood were obviously never children.

The happy people are failures because they are on such good terms with themselves they don't give a damn.

An easy-going non-self-denying life will never be one of power.

They're well off; they're safe; they're never ill; they're not afraid of death; they're blissfully ignorant of passion and old age; they're plagued with no mothers or fathers; they've got no wives, or children, or lovers to feel strongly about; they're so conditioned that they practically can't help behaving as they ought to behave.

Childhood Is the Kingdom Where Nobody Dies.

One has very little influence upon one's children. Their characters are what they are and one can do nothing to change them.

Kids are never the problem; it's nearly always the parents.