In youth men are apt to write more wisely than they really know or feel; and the remainder of life may be not idly spent in realizing and convincing themselves of the wisdom which they uttered long ago.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hawthorne says youth often writes wisdom without fully understanding it; later life can be spent realizing what was said.
- In plain terms
- Young people speak wisely before they feel it; life is for catching up.
- What can you take from it?
- Youth can foresee wisdom that maturity must later confirm.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What did you say young that you understand now?
- How much of wisdom is felt versus spoken?
Another view
It assumes early statements are wise; many may be naive.
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It is because the spirit is inestimable that the lifeless body is so little valued.
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