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As one grows older, one becomes wiser and more foolish.
Francois De La Rochefoucauld
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Growing older brings both increased wisdom and continued folly.

This quote captures the paradox of aging, suggesting that while experience and knowledge typically lead to wisdom, they can also coexist with a sense of foolishness. It highlights how the complexities of life can lead us to make mistakes, regardless of our age or wisdom, as we navigate our personal growth and learning.

Themes

WisdomAgeFoolishnessLearningParadox

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a graduation speech to reflect on the journey of learning.

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The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
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Old men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.
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Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
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Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
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The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
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To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
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A little wisdom, now and then

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Quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld | QuoteProject