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About this quote

What does it mean?
This implies that elderly or experienced people may seem useless or slow when they should be resting.
In plain terms
Old people who keep working past their time seem out of place.
What can you take from it?
It can seem odd when someone stays active past their prime.

Where it applies

  • workforce retirement
  • public speaking
  • leadership roles

Putting it to work

  • know when to step back
  • respect experience
  • plan retirement

Questions to consider

  • When is it time to retire?
  • How do you value experience?

Another view

Experience can remain valuable regardless of age.

More from Samuel Johnson

  1. 'Enlarge my life with multitude of days!' In health, in sickness, thus the suppliant prays: Hides from himself his state, and shuns to know That life protracte…

    Permalink to quote #38
  2. Must helpless man, in ignorance sedate, Roll darkling down the torrent of his fate?

    Permalink to quote #40
  3. He left the name at which the world grew pale, To point a moral, or adorn a tale.

    Permalink to quote #37

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