“The intellect is born young and grows old. That is the tragedy of life.”
— Oscar Wilde
Simplified Meaning:
When we're born, our minds are fresh and flexible. We can learn new things quickly and see the world with curiosity. As we get older, our thinking can become less flexible, and new ideas may be harder to grasp. This is a normal part of aging, but it can be sad because it limits our ability to see things from new perspectives. Imagine a child who learns to ride a bike for the first time. The child is excited and eager to practice. They fall down but keep trying. Now picture an older person who has ridden a bike their whole life. They know how to ride but might be scared to try new tricks because they're afraid of falling and getting hurt. This idea can help us appreciate the importance of staying open to new experiences and continuous learning. Even as we age, making an effort to try new things and keeping an open mind can help keep our intellect young. So, no matter how old we are, we should try not to lose our curiosity and willingness to learn.