"Perhaps one has to be very old before one learns to be amused rather than shocked"

In this quote, Robert Browning recommends that as one ages, they start to see the world in a different light. Instead of being stunned by the things that happen around them, they discover to discover amusement in them. This might be translated as a sign of maturity and wisdom, as one ends up being more accepting and understanding of the complexities of life. It likewise indicates that with age comes a particular level of detachment, enabling one to see situations with a funny bone instead of being mentally impacted by them. In general, Browning's words highlight the value of developing an easy going point of view as we age.