The youth gets together his materials to build a bridge to the moon, or, perchance, a palace or temple on the earth, and, at length, the middle-aged man concludes to build a woodshed with them.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Youth aim for grand projects, while age often settles for modest achievements.
- In plain terms
- Young people dream big; older people often build smaller things.
- What can you take from it?
- Balance ambition with realistic goals as you age.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What grand ideas do you have now?
- How might your goals evolve with age?
Another view
Some older individuals continue to pursue grand ambitions.
More from Henry David Thoreau
The perception of beauty is a moral test.
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