--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They were upon their great theme: \"When I…" description: "\"They were upon their great theme: \"When I get to be a man!\" Being human, though boys, they considered their present estate too commonplace to be dwelt ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/booth-tarkington-14355_be-a-man_they-were-upon-their-great-theme-when-i_1977008.jpg" --- # They were upon their great theme: "When I get to be a… ![“They were upon their great theme: "When I get to be a man!" Being human, though boys, they considered their present estate too commonplace to be dwelt upon. So, when the old men gather, they say: "When I was a boy!" It really is the land of nowadays that we never discover.” quote by Booth Tarkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/booth-tarkington-14355_be-a-man_they-were-upon-their-great-theme-when-i_1977008.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/booth-tarkington-14355_be-a-man_they-were-upon-their-great-theme-when-i_1977008.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42a/booth-tarkington-14355_be-a-man_they-were-upon-their-great-theme-when-i_1977008.jpg) > “They were upon their great theme: "When I get to be a man!" Being human, though boys, they considered their present estate too commonplace to be dwelt upon. So, when the old men gather, they say: "When I was a boy!" It really is the land of nowadays that we never discover.” [Booth Tarkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booth-tarkington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People romanticize youth, forgetting present realities; nostalgia blinds current appreciation. **In simple terms:** Youth idealized, present undervalued. Key Takeaway Balance nostalgia with present focus. Themes nostalgia growth perspective Mood nostalgic thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - family gatherings - career milestones - personal reflection Key Concepts time perception generational dialogue self‑reflection Questions to Reflect On - What present moments do you overlook? - How can you honor past without escaping now? A Different Perspective Over‑idealizing past can hinder growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Be a man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-a-man/) [Being human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-human/) [Boy Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boy-really-868915/) [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Boys Considered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys-considered-3353262/) [Commonplace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commonplace/) [Estates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/estates/) [Human Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-boys-3353261/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/land/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Gather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-gather-3098366/) [Old man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-man/) [Old men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-men/) [Theme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theme/) ## Related quotes > [Women gather together to wear silly hats, eat dainty food, and forget how unresponsive their husbands are. 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I really did. I wore boys' clothes, played tag football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliza-dushku/for-the-longest-time-i-thought-i-was-a-boy-i-really-did-i-wore-boys/) [Eliza Dushku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliza-dushku/) > [The parent who could see his boy as he really is, would shake his head and say: 'Willie is no good; I'll sell him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-leacock/the-parent-who-could-see-his-boy-as-he-really-is-would-shake-his-head/) [Stephen Leacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-leacock/) > [When I was a boy, I was really thin, small, long-haired. I always looked young. People thought, 'He can't play football.' 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