I'm forty-nine, not fifteen, and I've made my peace with myself. Had I been handsome and stupid when I was fifteen, or twenty-one, as, at that time in life, I wished I had been, I would undoubtedly now no longer be handsome--but I'd still be stupid. So, in the long run, I've won out. Isaac Asimov
About This Quote

Many people think that they are more mature than they actually are or that they have accomplished more than they believe they have. This is the case with the quote above. The writer of this quote, Gilbert K. Chesterton, said, "I'm forty-nine, not fifteen, and I've made my peace with myself." This means that he is older than he says he is, but has developed certain values and principles that make him happier than he was as a younger man. He has learned to be more mature by experiencing life.

Source: Nemesis

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More Quotes By Isaac Asimov
  1. The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.

  2. Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.

  3. The first step in making rabbit stew is catching the rabbit.

  4. Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.

  5. It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly.

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