Grown up, and that is a terribly hard thing to do. It is much easier to skip it and go from one childhood to another.
Interpretation
Growing up is a difficult process that requires effort, unlike the ease of remaining in a perpetual state of childhood.
In this quote, F. Scott Fitzgerald reflects on the challenges of adulthood and the maturity that comes with it. He suggests that many people find it simpler to avoid the responsibilities and complexities of growing up, preferring instead to navigate life in a childlike state, which lacks depth and growth. The quote underscores the significance of embracing the arduous journey of maturity to fully understand life and oneself.
In practice
In a graduation speech, one might encourage young adults to embrace the challenges of growing up rather than resisting them.
Don't be so anxious about it,' she laughed. 'I'm not used to being loved. I wouldn't know what to do; I never got the trick of it.' She looked down at him, shy and fatigued. 'So here we are. I told you years ago that I had the makings of Cinderella.' He took her hand; she drew it back instinctively and then replaced it in his. 'Beg your pardon. Not even used to being touched. But I'm not afraid of you, if you stay quiet and don't move suddenly.
The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.
It was about then [1920] that I wrote a line which certain people will not let me forget: "She was a faded but still lovely woman of twenty-seven."
The words seemed to bite physically into Gatsby.
But you can love more than just one person, can't you?
A sudden gust of rain blew over them and then another - as if small liquid clouds were bouncing along the land. Lightning entered the sea far off and the air blew full of crackling thunder. The table cloths blew around the pillars. They blew and blew and blew. The flags twisted around the red chairs like live things, the banners were ragged, the corners of the table tore off through the burbling billowing ends of the cloths.
I get it now; I didn't get it then. That life is about losing and about doing it as gracefully as possible... and enjoying everything in between.
We are not content to pass away entirely from the scenes of our delight; we would leave, if but in gratitude, a pillar and a legend.
A glamorous life is quite different to a life of luxury. I donβt need luxury. For years, I was practically broke but I was still very vain and glamorous. And I still am.
Two bubbles found they had rainbows on their curves. They flickered out saying: "It was worth being a bubble, just to have held that rainbow thirty seconds.
I look into mother's stomach, wonder if you are a boy or a girl_x000D_ _x000D_ Turnin' this woman's womb into a tomb_x000D_ _x000D_ But she and I agree, a seed we don't need_x000D_ _x000D_ You would've been much more than a mouth to feed_x000D_ _x000D_ But someone I would've fed this information I read_x000D_ _x000D_ To someone my life for you I would've had to leave_x000D_ _x000D_ Instead I led you to death.
He who starts behind in the great race of life must forever remain behind or run faster than the man in front.
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