"It is well for the world that in most of us, by the age of thirty, the character has set like plaster, and will never soften again"
- William James
About this Quote
This quote by William James suggests that by the age of thirty, most people's character has become repaired and will not alter. This indicates that our character is formed by the age of thirty and that our characteristic, values, and beliefs are not likely to change after this age. This could be translated as a downhearted view of humanity, as it suggests that our character is predetermined which we are not able to change our habits or outlook on life. On the other hand, it might also be seen as a positive statement, as it indicates that by the age of thirty, we have actually established a strong sense of self and have a clear concept of who we are and what we mean. Eventually, this quote recommends that our character is formed by the age of thirty and that it is unlikely to alter after this point.
"One has children in the expectation of dying before them. In fact, you want to make damn sure you die before them, just as you plant a tree or build a house knowing, hoping that it will outlive you. That's how the human species has done as well as it has"
"Well, I think any time you delve into this sort of religion, politics, as you well know, you're going to, you know, touch a few nerves. I wasn't - now - and this is the honest truth"
