“A child-like man is not a man whose development has been arrested; on the contrary, he is a man who has given himself a chance of continuing to develop long after most adults have muffled themselves in the cocoon of middle-aged habit and convention.”
In this quote, Aldous Huxley highlights the value of maintaining child-like qualities in adulthood. He argues that being child-like does not mean one's development has been stunted, but rather that it allows for continued growth and evolution. By remaining open-minded, curious, and willing to explore new ideas, individuals can avoid becoming stagnant in their thinking and behaviors. Huxley suggests that embracing child-like qualities can help adults break free from the constraints of societal norms and expectations, allowing them to continue developing and evolving throughout their lives.
In today's fast-paced world, it is easy to get caught up in the routines and responsibilities of adulthood. However, Aldous Huxley's words remind us of the importance of maintaining a sense of child-like wonder and curiosity throughout our lives. This mindset allows us to continue to grow and develop, even when society may expect us to settle into a fixed way of thinking and being. By staying open to new experiences and ideas, we can ensure that our lives remain vibrant and full of potential, no matter our age.
"A child-like man is not a man whose development has been arrested; on the contrary, he is a man who has given himself a chance of continuing to develop long after most adults have muffled themselves in the cocoon of middle-aged habit and convention.” - Aldous Huxley"
This quote by Aldous Huxley highlights the importance of maintaining a sense of curiosity and wonder throughout adulthood. It emphasizes the value of staying open to new experiences and ideas in order to continue growing and evolving as a person.
When considering the concept of a "child-like man" as described by Aldous Huxley, take a moment to reflect on the following:
“It has not been by the wisdom of man that this people have been directed in their course until the present it has been by the wisdom of Him who is above man and whose knowledge is greater than that of man, and whose power is above the power of man….The hand of the Lord may not be visible to all. There may be many who cannot discern the workings of God’s will in the progress and development of this great latter-day work, but there are those who see in every hour and in every moment of the existence of the Church, from its beginning until now, the overruling, almighty hand of [God].”
“What virtue is there in a man who demonstrates goodness because he has been bred to it? It is his habit from youth. But a man who has known unkindness and want, for him to be kind and charitable to those who have been the cause of his misfortunes, that is a virtuous man.”
“The primitive magician, the medicine man or shaman is not only a sick man, he is above all, a sick man who has been cured, who has succeeded in curing himself.”
“The man who makes a success of an important venture never wails for the crowd. He strikes out for himself. It takes nerve, it takes a great lot of grit; but the man that succeeds has both. Anyone can fail. The public admires the man who has enough confidence in himself to take a chance. These chances are the main things after all. The man who tries to succeed must expect to be criticized. Nothing important was ever done but the greater number consulted previously doubted the possibility. Success is the accomplishment of that which most people think can't be done.”
“I just wish moments weren’t so fleeting!' Isaac called to the man on the roof, 'They pass so quickly!' 'Fleeting?!' responded the tilling man, 'Moments? They pass quickly?! . . . Why, once a man is finished growing, he still has twenty years of youth. After that, he has twenty years of middle age. Then, unless misfortune strikes, nature gives him twenty thoughtful years of old age. Why do you call that quickly?' And with that, the tilling man wiped his sweaty brow and continued tilling; and the dejected Isaac continued wandering. 'Stupid fool!' Isaac muttered quietly to himself as soon as he was far enough away not to be heard.”