“When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”
Embracing the Wisdom of Childhood
"When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.” - C.S. Lewis
This quote by C.S. Lewis reminds us of the importance of embracing the wisdom and innocence of childhood, rather than rejecting it in our pursuit of adulthood. It encourages us to hold onto the purity and curiosity that can often be lost as we grow older.
Analysis
In this quote, C.S. Lewis is reflecting on the idea of maturity and growing up. He suggests that part of becoming an adult is letting go of the fear of being seen as childish and the pressure to conform to traditional notions of being "grown up." Lewis is emphasizing the importance of embracing one's authentic self and not being afraid to hold onto aspects of childlike wonder and joy as one navigates the journey into adulthood. This quote encourages a mindset of authenticity and self-acceptance, reminding us that true maturity is not about conforming to societal expectations, but rather about being true to oneself.
Embracing Childlike Wonder in Adulthood
C.S. Lewis's quote highlights the idea that it's important to not lose touch with our inner child as we grow older. In today's fast-paced and high-pressure world, it can be easy to become too focused on appearing mature and serious. However, by allowing ourselves to embrace a sense of childlike wonder and curiosity, we can stay connected to a more creative and open-minded perspective on life. This can lead to greater happiness, innovation, and overall fulfillment in our adult lives.
Reflecting on Embracing Childlike Qualities
As we grow older, it is natural to feel the pressure to act more mature and serious. However, C.S. Lewis reminds us that there is value in embracing childlike qualities. Reflecting on this quote can lead to insights about our own experiences with maturity and playfulness. Here are some questions to consider:
- How do you define maturity and being "grown up"?
- In what ways have you been afraid of appearing childish in the past?
- What are some of the childlike qualities that you value in yourself or others?
- Have you found joy and creativity in embracing playfulness and innocence?
- How can you balance maturity with maintaining a sense of wonder and curiosity?
By pondering these questions, we can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of embracing both maturity and childlike qualities in our lives.
Similar quotes
“When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”
“Those who tread 'adult' as a term of approval cannot hope to be considered adult themselves. When I became a man I put away childish things, along with the desire to be very grown up.”
“Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
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