"Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing"

The lines by G. M. Trevelyan urge readers to reconsider the boundaries they place on possibility, particularly in the presence of youthful curiosity and ambition. When society tells young people something cannot be done, it plants seeds of limitation and self-doubt. Yet, Trevelyan highlights a paradox: often, only those who are unacquainted with the vast catalogue of supposed impossibilities are brave or bold enough to attempt remarkable feats. The ignorance of youth, far from being a flaw, becomes a critical asset. Because the young have not yet internalized the world’s limits, they approach daunting challenges with fresh eyes and unrestrained imagination, willing to experiment and push boundaries that others have long since accepted as impassable.

Trevelyan’s use of the phrase “God may have been waiting centuries” hints at a broader, almost divine patience: the universe holding its breath, awaiting the one person unburdened by cynicism or skepticism. The true agents of progress are not necessarily those who are most experienced or most educated in previous failures. Rather, they are those who dare to disregard the shackles of conventional wisdom, those too “ignorant” to know certain things “cannot be done.” This form of ignorance is empowering. It fosters a willingness to try, to fail inventively, and to discover solutions missed by prudent, cautious minds.

Throughout history, many breakthroughs, from scientific revolutions to social justice movements, have sprung from the minds of individuals who, perhaps naively, refused to accept impossibility. Trevelyan’s words serve both as a caution and an inspiration. They warn against discouraging youthful ambition with negativity, while also celebrating the power of untamed, unjaded conviction as a force capable of altering the course of history. By honoring the daring, unknowing, and persistent spirit of youth, society shapes an environment where the unimaginable finally becomes reality.