The only time you really live fully is from thirty to sixty. The young are slaves to dreams; the old servants of regrets. Only the middle-aged have all their five senses in the keeping of their wits.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Roosevelt claims that ages thirty to sixty are the best years of life, as youth is dreamy and old age is full of regret.
- In plain terms
- Middle age is the only time when your mind and senses are fully in control.
- What can you take from it?
- Middle adulthood offers the best balance of energy and wisdom for living fully.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is wisdom only found in middle age?
- What do regrets teach us?
Another view
This view dismisses the unique value of youth and old age.
More from Theodore Roosevelt
The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.
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