Few women, I fear, have had such reason as I have to think the long sad years of youth were worth living for the sake of middle age.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that the struggles of youth can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful middle age.
Eisenhower reflects on his life, acknowledging the difficult times he experienced during his youth but ultimately expressing that these challenges were necessary for the richer, more rewarding experience of middle age. It implies that enduring hardships can provide valuable lessons and perspectives that enhance future enjoyment and fulfillment.
In practice
This quote could be used during a graduation speech to encourage students facing challenges.
If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens-of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions-must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency.
You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.
When pressure mounts and strain increases everyone begins to show the weaknesses in his makeup. It is up to the Commander to conceal his: above all to conceal doubt, fear, and distrust.
Some years ago I became president of Columbia University and learned within 24 hours to be ready to speak at the drop of a hat, and I learned something more, the trustees were expected to be ready to speak at the passing of the hat.
I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
When men die, they die in fear", he said. "They take everything they need from you, and as a doctor it is your job to give it, to comfort them, to hold their hand. But children die how they have been living - in hope. They don't know what's happening, so they expect nothing, they don't ask you to hold their hand - but you end up needing them to hold yours. With children, you're on your own. Do you understand?
Life's a test, mistakes are lessons, but the gift of life is knowing that you have made a difference.
Life is easy, life is delightful. It's only hard on your illusions, your ambitions, your greed, your cravings.
You don't spend twenty years of your life in the service and not have a warm, nostalgic feeling left in you. It's a small service, and there's a lot of esprit de corps.
Life is like a library owned by the author. In it are a few books which he wrote himself, but most of them were written for him.
When I was a child, my father used to take me for walks, often along a river or by the sea. We would pass people fishing, perhaps reeling in their lines with struggling fish hooked at the end of them. Once I saw a man take a small fish out of a bucket and impale it, still wriggling, on an empty hook to use as bait.
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