A child wants things to be a certain way. When you get to be an adult, you just understand that some people are good, some are not, and you can't be naive.
Interpretation
As adults, we learn to accept the complexities of human nature rather than holding naive beliefs about people.
This quote reflects the transition from childhood to adulthood, highlighting how a child's simplicity in wanting things to be perfect contrasts with an adult's understanding of the nuanced reality of human behavior. It suggests that wisdom involves recognizing the duality of people's nature—acknowledging that not everyone is inherently good and that naivety can lead to disillusionment.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about personal growth and the lessons learned in adulthood.
In a society where the roles everyone plays are obvious, the refusal to conform to any standard will excite interest. Be both masculine and feminine, impudent and charming, subtle and outrageous. Let other people worry about being socially acceptable; those types are a dime a dozen, and you are after a power greater than they can imagine.
When you are trying to impress people with words, the more you say, the more common you appear, and the less in control. Even if you are saying something banal, it will seem original if you make it vague, open-ended, and sphinxlike.
The moment people feel they know what to expect from you, your spell on them is broken. More: You have ceded them power.
The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.
The Nihilistic Troll might pretend to be acting in the service of some cause or leader, but don't be fooled. The cause and their supposedly strong convictions are simply a way to justify and provide cover for their abusive behavior.
Only create associations with positive affinities. Make this a rule of life and you will benefit more than from all the therapy in the world.
Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
You can't teach the old maestro a new tune.
Genius... means little more than the faculty of perceiving in an unhabitual way.
Take a chance on faith - not religion, but faith. Not hope, but faith. I don’t believe in hope. Hope is a beggar. Hope walks through the fire. Faith leaps over it.
The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.
There are people of spirit and there are people of passion, both less common than one might think. Rarer still are the people of spirit and passion. But rarest of all is a passionable spirit.
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