--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Meanwhile you just lived on and there was…" description: "\"“Meanwhile you just lived on and there was nothing to it. She understood perfectly well why people had cocktail parties, and jazzed, and Charlestoned t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0d/d-h-lawrence-2-1397_life_meanwhile-you-just-lived-on-and-there-wa_1834559.jpg" --- # Meanwhile you just lived on and there was nothing to it… ![“Meanwhile you just lived on and there was nothing to it. She understood perfectly well why people had cocktail parties, and jazzed, and Charlestoned till they were ready to drop. You had to take it out some way or other, your youth, or it ate you up. But what a ghastly thing, this youth! You felt…” quote by D.H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0d/d-h-lawrence-2-1397_life_meanwhile-you-just-lived-on-and-there-wa_1834559.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0d/d-h-lawrence-2-1397_life_meanwhile-you-just-lived-on-and-there-wa_1834559.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d0d/d-h-lawrence-2-1397_life_meanwhile-you-just-lived-on-and-there-wa_1834559.jpg) > ““Meanwhile you just lived on and there was nothing to it. She understood perfectly well why people had cocktail parties, and jazzed, and Charlestoned till they were ready to drop. You had to take it out some way or other, your youth, or it ate you up. But what a ghastly thing, this youth! You felt as old as Methuselah, and yet the thing fizzed somehow, and didn't let you be comfortable. A mean sort of life! And no prospect! She almost wished she had gone off with Mick, and made her life one long cocktail party, and jazz evening. Anyhow that was better than just mooning yourself into the grave.”” [D.H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Youth is restless, chaotic, and uncomfortable; some seek escape through hedonism, but it offers no lasting fulfillment. **In simple terms:** Youth feels chaotic and unsatisfying. Key Takeaway Seek deeper purpose. Themes youth existential angst hedonism Mood melancholic introspective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - personal growth - mental health - creative writing - social commentary Key Concepts existentialism psychology social critique Questions to Reflect On - What gives you lasting satisfaction? - How can you channel youthful energy constructively? A Different Perspective Hedonistic escape may lead to emptiness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cocktail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cocktail/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [The cocktail party - as the name itself indicates - was originally invented by dogs. 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Its basic purpose is to pay off social debts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-boyle/the-cocktail-party-has-a-simple-function-in-modern-society-its-basic/) [Hal Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-boyle/) > [“(yesterday) From the terrace of the Flore, I see a woman sitting on the windowsill of the bookstore La Hune; she is holding a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-barthes/yesterday-from-the-terrace-of-the-flore-i-see-a-woman-sitting-on-the/) [Roland Barthes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-barthes/) > [The cocktail party is probably America's greatest contribution to the world of entertaining.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/the-cocktail-party-is-probably-america-s-greatest-contribution-to-the/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) > [A cocktail party is what you call it when you invite everyone you know to come over to your house at six p.m., put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/a-cocktail-party-is-what-you-call-it-when-you-invite-everyone-you/) [P. 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I will love the man I marry — that is all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence-2/but-i-will-have-it-i-will-love-it-is-my-birthright-i-will-love-the/) [D.H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence-2/) [Explore all 235 D.H. Lawrence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence-2/) ## More Cocktail quotes > [The cocktail party - as the name itself indicates - was originally invented by dogs. 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It gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maneet-chauhan/i-make-a-bloody-mary-at-home-with-a-dash-of-fish-sauce-a-little-bit/) [Maneet Chauhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maneet-chauhan/) > [I listen to a lot of podcasts, which are split down the middle between comedy and board game podcasts, and a couple of eclectic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-sommer/i-listen-to-a-lot-of-podcasts-which-are-split-down-the-middle-between/) [Rich Sommer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-sommer/) > [I've designed multi-purpose outfits that women can wear at resorts, cocktail evenings or as cover-ups on beach wear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nandita-mahtani/i-ve-designed-multi-purpose-outfits-that-women-can-wear-at-resorts/) [Nandita Mahtani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nandita-mahtani/) > [Mix one part Denzel Washington and two parts Eva Mendes and you have a nice hot cocktail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-cain/mix-one-part-denzel-washington-and-two-parts-eva-mendes-and-you-have/) [Dean Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-cain/) > [I don’t want to do a cocktail party. 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