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About this quote

What does it mean?
Boyhood is compared to a childhood illness like measles that should be outgrown early to avoid serious complications in adulthood.
In plain terms
Grow up young like you outgrow measles or maturity becomes a problem later.
What can you take from it?
Maturity should happen early to avoid adult consequences.

Where it applies

  • parenting
  • life transitions
  • self-improvement

Putting it to work

  • grow up early
  • take responsibility

Questions to consider

  • When did you feel grown up?
  • Is there a cost to staying young?

Another view

Metaphors like this oversimplify human development.

More from P. G. Wodehouse

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