"When I can look life in the eyes, grown calm and very coldly wise, life will have given me the truth, and taken in exchange - my youth"

This expressive quote by Sara Teasdale speaks to the inevitable trade-off between younger innocence and the wisdom that features age and experience. It is an extensive meditation on the journey of life and the modifications that accompany it. The speaker assesses a future minute when they will be able to confront life with a sense of calmness and a sharp, critical knowledge-- qualities that typically establish in time as one browses through life's trials and adversities.

The expression "look life in the eyes" recommends a deep, brave understanding and approval of reality. It suggests a state of maturity where one challenges life's challenges with equanimity. The description of this gaze as "calm and extremely coldly sensible" shows a level of detachment and clearness that originates from lived experience. It portrays knowledge not as simply a build-up of knowledge, but as an understanding that is sobered by life's harsh truths.

Nevertheless, this knowledge does not come without a cost. Teasdale poignantly keeps in mind that in getting "the reality" from life, one should surrender their youth. Youth is often connected with naivety, enthusiasm, and unchecked optimism, a time when the severe realities of life are not fully comprehended. The phrase suggests that to gain profound insight, one inevitably loses the innocence and vitality that characterize youth. This reflects an axiom about the human experience: the passage of time boosts understanding however also exacts its toll on the spirit and body.

Ultimately, Teasdale's words capture the bittersweet nature of getting older. While gaining wisdom and fact is important, it is accompanied by a yearning for the carefree delight of youth. The quote welcomes readers to review their own lives and the complex interplay in between development, loss, and the ruthless march of time.