Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead…
““Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Adult status is a social label; obsessing over it shows immaturity, while genuine growth comes from letting go of the need to appear grown‑up.
In simple terms: Being adult is a label; obsessing over it shows immaturity.
Key Takeaway
Stop chasing approval; embrace authentic growth.
Themes
maturity
identity
growth
social pressure
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- parenting
- midlife crisis
- creative projects
Key Concepts
psychology
self‑concept
development
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you seek adult approval or authentic growth?
- How does fear of childishness limit you?
A Different Perspective
Obsessing over adult status can hinder true personal development.