"No worse fate can befall a young man or woman than becoming prematurely entrenched in prudence and negation"

In this quote, Knut Hamsun is warning against the threats of being too cautious and negative at a young age. He believes that there is no worse fate for a young adult than ending up being too entrenched in vigilance, or extreme caution, and negation, or constantly stating no to brand-new experiences and opportunities. Hamsun is suggesting that being excessively careful and closed-minded can restrict a person's capacity and prevent them from totally experiencing life. He encourages youths to be open to taking risks and embracing originalities, instead of being kept back by worry and negativeness. Eventually, Hamsun is promoting for a more daring and optimistic approach to life.