I believe that maturity is not an outgrowing, but a…
“I believe that maturity is not an outgrowing, but a growing up: that an adult is not a dead child, but a child who survived. I believe that all the best faculties of a mature human being exist in the child. . . . that one of the most deeply human, and humane, of these faculties is the power of imagination.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Maturity is growth, not loss; adult imagination stems from childlike wonder.
In simple terms: Maturity retains childlike imagination.
Nurture imagination at any age.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education
- leadership
- artistic pursuits
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can adults keep childlike imagination alive?
- What does “survived” imply about adulthood?