--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The present times require the vigor and…" description: "\"The present times require the vigor and the activity of the prime of life; but I feel the increasing infirmities of age to such a degree, that I am con..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/209/christopher-gadsden-38542_activity_the-present-times-require-the-vigor-and_652245.jpg" --- # The present times require the vigor and the activity of… ![“The present times require the vigor and the activity of the prime of life; but I feel the increasing infirmities of age to such a degree, that I am conscious I cannot serve you to advantage.” quote by Christopher Gadsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/209/christopher-gadsden-38542_activity_the-present-times-require-the-vigor-and_652245.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/209/christopher-gadsden-38542_activity_the-present-times-require-the-vigor-and_652245.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/209/christopher-gadsden-38542_activity_the-present-times-require-the-vigor-and_652245.jpg) > “The present times require the vigor and the activity of the prime of life; but I feel the increasing infirmities of age to such a degree, that I am conscious I cannot serve you to advantage.” [Christopher Gadsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Age limits physical vigor, prompting a shift from active service to advisory roles. **In simple terms:** Older individuals may feel less able to contribute directly. Key Takeaway Adapt contributions to match current abilities. Themes aging service self‑assessment Mood thoughtful pragmatic Type advisory inspirational When to use this quote - political activism - community leadership - volunteer work - family guidance Key Concepts capacity legacy mentorship Questions to Reflect On - How can you leverage experience in lieu of vigor? - What roles suit your current strengths? A Different Perspective Experience can compensate for reduced physical stamina. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Conscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscious/) [Feel Increasing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-increasing-1923083/) [Increasing Infirmities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/increasing-infirmities-5213683/) [Infirmities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infirmities/) [Infirmities Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infirmities-age-3574784/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Older](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/older/) [Prime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prime/) [Prime of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prime-of-life/) [Require Vigor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/require-vigor-5213684/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Vigor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vigor/) ## Related quotes > [As I get considerably beyond the biblical allotment of three score years and ten, I feel with increasing intensity that I can express my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-maclean/as-i-get-considerably-beyond-the-biblical-allotment-of-three-score/) [Norman Maclean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-maclean/) > [The moment one abandons the idea that he was born to discover what is right and enforce it upon the rest of the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-tucker/the-moment-one-abandons-the-idea-that-he-was-born-to-discover-what-is/) [Benjamin Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-tucker/) > [People think I'm talking like I'm in perfect health, but I have all the infirmities for my age. 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Infirmities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siddhartha-mukherjee/illness-might-progressively-vanish-so-might-identity-grief-might-be/) [Siddhartha Mukherjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddhartha-mukherjee/) > [Endeavor to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, of what sort 'soever they be; for that thyself also has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/endeavor-to-be-patient-in-bearing-with-the-defects-and-infirmities-of/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [“Ah, when one has not the gift of rendering one's grief superbly and transforming it into literary or musical passages which weep magnificently, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joris-karl-huysmans/ah-when-one-has-not-the-gift-of-rendering-one-s-grief-superbly-and/) [Joris-Karl Huysmans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joris-karl-huysmans/) > [“It is one thing to be sick of your own infirmities and another to understand that the people you love most are sick of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leif-enger/it-is-one-thing-to-be-sick-of-your-own-infirmities-and-another-to/) [Leif Enger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leif-enger/) > [“Weakness with watchfulness will stand, when strength with too much confidence fails. Weakness, with acknowledgement of it, is the fittest seat and subject for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sibbes/weakness-with-watchfulness-will-stand-when-strength-with-too-much/) [Richard Sibbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sibbes/) > [If we manage to last in spite of everything, it is because our infirmities are so many and so contradictory that they cancel each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/if-we-manage-to-last-in-spite-of-everything-it-is-because-our/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [Men, even the elect, have too many infirmities to come to Christ without help from heaven; inviting will not do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/men-even-the-elect-have-too-many-infirmities-to-come-to-christ/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [The believer is sensible of his infirmities, for it is supposed that he is wrestling under them. He sees, he feels, that he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-boston/the-believer-is-sensible-of-his-infirmities-for-it-is-supposed-that/) [Thomas Boston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-boston/) > [A friend should bear his friend's infirmities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-friend-should-bear-his-friend-s-infirmities/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## More by Christopher Gadsden > [What I can do for my country, I am willing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/what-i-can-do-for-my-country-i-am-willing-to-do/) [Christopher Gadsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/) > [The House of Commons, refused to receive the addresses of the colonies, when the matter was pending; besides, we hold our rights neither from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/the-house-of-commons-refused-to-receive-the-addresses-of-the-colonies/) [Christopher Gadsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/) > [It may not be proper for me, perhaps, to let my feelings carry me further am therefore resigned to stop here, if sir, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/it-may-not-be-proper-for-me-perhaps-to-let-my-feelings-carry-me/) [Christopher Gadsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/) > [I gave my parole once, and it has been shamefully violated by the British Government; I shall not give another to people on whom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/i-gave-my-parole-once-and-it-has-been-shamefully-violated-by-the/) [Christopher Gadsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/) > [I give no more paroles to British officers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/i-give-no-more-paroles-to-british-officers/) [Christopher Gadsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/) > [If my acceptance of the office of Governor would serve my country, though my administration would be attended with the loss of personal credit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/if-my-acceptance-of-the-office-of-governor-would-serve-my-country/) [Christopher Gadsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/) > [I therefore beg that you would indulge me with the liberty of declining the arduous trust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/i-therefore-beg-that-you-would-indulge-me-with-the-liberty-of/) [Christopher Gadsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/) > [And, Mr. Speaker, if the Governor and Council don't see fit to fall in with us, I say let the general duty law, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/and-mr-speaker-if-the-governor-and-council-don-t-see-fit-to-fall-in/) [Christopher Gadsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/) > [No man in America ever strove more, and more successfully first to bring about a Congress in 1765, and then to support it ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/no-man-in-america-ever-strove-more-and-more-successfully-first-to/) [Christopher Gadsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/) > [My sentiments for the American cause, from the Stamp Act downward, have never changed... I am still of opinion that it is the cause…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/my-sentiments-for-the-american-cause-from-the-stamp-act-downward-have/) [Christopher Gadsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/) [Explore all 11 Christopher Gadsden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/) ## More Activity quotes > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [It must be assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. 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If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [And also I think the rise of other, you could say, destinations for international jihadis mean that Pakistan isn't necessarily the place where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/and-also-i-think-the-rise-of-other-you-could-say-destinations-for/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/) [Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/) > [There were books everywhere in my house. Books were very present. I just loved books. I never understood reading as anything but a pleasurable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lucas/there-were-books-everywhere-in-my-house-books-were-very-present-i/) [Lisa Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lucas/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/) [Gero Miesenbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gero-miesenbock/) > [Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/enjoyment-is-not-a-goal-it-is-a-feeling-that-accompanies-important/) [Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/) > [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [I have to consider everything I eat; I consider every activity I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kimball/i-have-to-consider-everything-i-eat-i-consider-every-activity-i-do/) [Charlie Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kimball/) > [Almost all good businesses engage in 'pain today, gain tomorrow' activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/almost-all-good-businesses-engage-in-pain-today-gain-tomorrow/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 3,263 Activity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The present times require the vigor and the activity of the prime of life; but I feel the increasing infirmities of age to such a degree, that I am conscious I cannot serve you to advantage.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Christopher Gadsden" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/the-present-times-require-the-vigor-and-the-activity-of-the-prime-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Activity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/the-present-times-require-the-vigor-and-the-activity-of-the-prime-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/209/christopher-gadsden-38542_activity_the-present-times-require-the-vigor-and_652245.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/209/christopher-gadsden-38542_activity_the-present-times-require-the-vigor-and_652245.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/209/christopher-gadsden-38542_activity_the-present-times-require-the-vigor-and_652245.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The present times require the vigor and the activity of the prime of life; but I feel the increasing…” — Christopher Gadsden", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Christopher Gadsden", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-gadsden/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The present times require the vigor...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/the-present-times-require-the-vigor-and-the-activity-of-the-prime-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-gadsden/the-present-times-require-the-vigor-and-the-activity-of-the-prime-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```