--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A young man is a theory, an old man is a…" description: "\"A young man is a theory, an old man is a fact.\" — E. W. Howe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/e-w-howe-2815_old-man_a-young-man-is-a-theory-an-old-man-is-a_2409695.png" --- # A young man is a theory, an old man is a fact. ![“A young man is a theory, an old man is a fact.” quote by E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/e-w-howe-2815_old-man_a-young-man-is-a-theory-an-old-man-is-a_2409695.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/e-w-howe-2815_old-man_a-young-man-is-a-theory-an-old-man-is-a_2409695.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/e-w-howe-2815_old-man_a-young-man-is-a-theory-an-old-man-is-a_2409695.png) > “A young man is a theory, an old man is a fact.” [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) ## 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 speculative and idealistic; old age is grounded in reality. **In simple terms:** Youth is theory, old age is fact. Key Takeaway Balance youthful ideas with experienced wisdom. Themes age wisdom growth Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - career planning - mentorship - personal development - education Key Concepts philosophy psychology life stages Questions to Reflect On - How can theory and fact complement each other? - What wisdom can elders share with the young? A Different Perspective Risk of undervaluing youthful innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Old man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-man/) ## Related quotes > [How good we all are, in theory, to the old; and how in fact we wish them to wander off like old dogs, die…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/how-good-we-all-are-in-theory-to-the-old-and-how-in-fact-we-wish-them/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [In the Land of Truth, my friend, the man with one fact is King.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rasche/in-the-land-of-truth-my-friend-the-man-with-one-fact-is-king/) [David Rasche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rasche/) > [I consider myself an average man, except in the fact that I consider myself an average man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-consider-myself-an-average-man-except-in-the-fact-that-i-consider/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [I don't believe in the Great Man theory of science or history. There are no great men, just men standing on the shoulders of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/i-don-t-believe-in-the-great-man-theory-of-science-or-history-there/) [Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/) > [This is real. This is the real mad man theory. We have to be irrational and vindictive, so people don't know what we're up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/this-is-real-this-is-the-real-mad-man-theory-we-have-to-be-irrational/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [“the Great Man theory (that leaders are born not made, the concept closest to our idea of some people, such as Rick Rescorla, having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-vugt-mark/the-great-man-theory-that-leaders-are-born-not-made-the-concept/) [Van Vugt, Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-vugt-mark/) > [We have a Marlboro Man Theory of leadership and change, especially in America, but in fact anything great that's accomplished is accomplished by many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-morgan/we-have-a-marlboro-man-theory-of-leadership-and-change-especially-in/) [Nick Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-morgan/) > [“The Tomorrow Man theory. It’s pretty basic. Today, right here, you are who you are. Tomorrow, you will be who you will be. Each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-hogan/the-tomorrow-man-theory-it-s-pretty-basic-today-right-here-you-are/) [Chuck Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-hogan/) > [I found myself in the changed man theory the other night thinking, "Yeah." I thought, "My god. If we could do this again," but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brosnan/i-found-myself-in-the-changed-man-theory-the-other-night-thinking/) [Pierce Brosnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brosnan/) > [A man who is all theory is like "a rudderless ship on a shoreless sea." ... Theories and speculations may be indulged in with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisha-gray/a-man-who-is-all-theory-is-like-a-rudderless-ship-on-a-shoreless-sea/) [Elisha Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisha-gray/) > [A study of family portraits is enough to convert a man to the theory of reincarnation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/a-study-of-family-portraits-is-enough-to-convert-a-man-to-the-theory/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [Anyone can practice. Young man can practice. Old man can practice. Very old man can practice. Man who is sick, he can practice. Man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-pattabhi-jois/anyone-can-practice-young-man-can-practice-old-man-can-practice-very/) [K. Pattabhi Jois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-pattabhi-jois/) > [“Wait, Alden. I really don't want to meet your friends dressed like this." "They're your friends too. And you look fantastic. I love the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-lindsey/wait-alden-i-really-don-t-want-to-meet-your-friends-dressed-like-this/) [Mary Lindsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-lindsey/) > [“The wretchedness of a child interests a mother, the wretchedness of a young man interests a young girl, the wretchedness of an old man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/the-wretchedness-of-a-child-interests-a-mother-the-wretchedness-of-a/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [“He wants to dream like a young man with the wisdom of a old man, he wants his home and securities, he wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-seger/he-wants-to-dream-like-a-young-man-with-the-wisdom-of-a-old-man-he/) [Bob Seger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-seger/) ## More by E. W. Howe > [There is always a type of man who says he loves his fellow men, and expects to make a living at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/there-is-always-a-type-of-man-who-says-he-loves-his-fellow-men-and/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [I believe in grumbling; it is the politest form of fighting known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/i-believe-in-grumbling-it-is-the-politest-form-of-fighting-known/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [A theory is no more like a fact than a photograph is like a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/a-theory-is-no-more-like-a-fact-than-a-photograph-is-like-a-person/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [Few men progress, except as they are pushed along by events.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/few-men-progress-except-as-they-are-pushed-along-by-events/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [Men are a good deal better collectively than they are individually. Many a man will do that privately which he will denounce in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/men-are-a-good-deal-better-collectively-than-they-are-individually/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [The modest person is usually admired, if people ever hear of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/the-modest-person-is-usually-admired-if-people-ever-hear-of-them/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [The greatest thing in the world is for a man to be able to do something well, and say nothing about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/the-greatest-thing-in-the-world-is-for-a-man-to-be-able-to-do/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [No man would listen to you talk if he didn't know it was his turn next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/no-man-would-listen-to-you-talk-if-he-didn-t-know-it-was-his-turn-next/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [People never have confidence in a Big Talker. They know his statements must be cut down, but they can never tell how much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/people-never-have-confidence-in-a-big-talker-they-know-his-statements/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [The only gambling tip which amounts to anything is to keep out of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/the-only-gambling-tip-which-amounts-to-anything-is-to-keep-out-of-the/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [One has fear in front of a goat, in back of a mule, and on every side of a fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/one-has-fear-in-front-of-a-goat-in-back-of-a-mule-and-on-every-side/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [No man's credit is ever as good as his money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/no-man-s-credit-is-ever-as-good-as-his-money/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [Some men storm imaginary Alps all their lives, and die in the foothills cursing difficulties which do not exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/some-men-storm-imaginary-alps-all-their-lives-and-die-in-the/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [There is something in the red of a raspberry pie that looks as good to a man as the red in a sheep looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/there-is-something-in-the-red-of-a-raspberry-pie-that-looks-as-good/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) > [Love affairs have always greatly interested me, but I do not greatly care for them in books or moving pictures. In a love affair,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/love-affairs-have-always-greatly-interested-me-but-i-do-not-greatly/) [E. W. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) [Explore all 149 E. W. Howe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/) ## More Old man quotes > [“You’d better keep her tied.” “Why?” A yawn stretched Hunter’s dark face. “Because she’s looking skittish.” “She’s naked.” Sheathing his knife, Hunter flopped on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/you-d-better-keep-her-tied-why-a-yawn-stretched-hunter-s-dark-face/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [The old men of the village of Mahotière say that the Mistress of the Water is a mulatto woman. At midnight she comes out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-roumain/the-old-men-of-the-village-of-mahoti-re-say-that-the-mistress-of-the/) [Jacques Roumain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-roumain/) > [That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/that-old-man-dies-prematurely-whose-memory-records-no-benefits/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [Therefore, brethren, pray until God gives us revelation so that "knowing this" in our spirit we may truly confess "that our old man has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/therefore-brethren-pray-until-god-gives-us-revelation-so-that-knowing/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [My old man was ruthless. He terrorised us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-hunt/my-old-man-was-ruthless-he-terrorised-us/) [Mark Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-hunt/) > [There was an Old Man of Messina, Whose daughter was named Opsibeena; She wore a small wig, and rode out on a pig, To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-lear/there-was-an-old-man-of-messina-whose-daughter-was-named-opsibeena/) [Edward Lear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-lear/) > [“You think people was meaner then than they are now? the deputy said. The old man was looking out at the flooded town. No,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/you-think-people-was-meaner-then-than-they-are-now-the-deputy-said/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [“IN the year 1888 Herr von Pasenow was seventy, and there were people who felt an extraordinary and inexplicable repulsion when they saw him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-broch/in-the-year-1888-herr-von-pasenow-was-seventy-and-there-were-people/) [Hermann Broch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-broch/) > [“He wants to dream like a young man with the wisdom of a old man, he wants his home and securities, he wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-seger/he-wants-to-dream-like-a-young-man-with-the-wisdom-of-a-old-man-he/) [Bob Seger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-seger/) > [The true love suddenly broken, not only but like the old man who has lost the stick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-true-love-suddenly-broken-not-only-but-like-the-old-man-who-has/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I’m 59 and people call me middle aged. How many 118 year old men do you know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-cryer/i-m-59-and-people-call-me-middle-aged-how-many-118-year-old-men-do/) [Barry Cryer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-cryer/) > [The barman sidled toward them out of a back room. He was a grump-looking old man with a great deal of a long gray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-barman-sidled-toward-them-out-of-a-back-room-he-was-a-grump/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world, old man, but you do have some say in who hurts you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/you-don-t-get-to-choose-if-you-get-hurt-in-this-world-old-man-but-you/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [A tall, thin old man waving a scorecard from the corner of his dugout. That's baseball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-harwell/a-tall-thin-old-man-waving-a-scorecard-from-the-corner-of-his-dugout/) [Ernie Harwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-harwell/) > [God has given this way of life to Israel: to abstain from everything which is contrary to nature, that is to say, anger, fits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poemen/god-has-given-this-way-of-life-to-israel-to-abstain-from-everything/) [Poemen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poemen/) [Browse all 2,184 Old man quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-man/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A young man is a theory, an old man is a fact.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "E. W. Howe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/a-young-man-is-a-theory-an-old-man-is-a-fact/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Old man" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/a-young-man-is-a-theory-an-old-man-is-a-fact/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/e-w-howe-2815_old-man_a-young-man-is-a-theory-an-old-man-is-a_2409695.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/e-w-howe-2815_old-man_a-young-man-is-a-theory-an-old-man-is-a_2409695.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/e-w-howe-2815_old-man_a-young-man-is-a-theory-an-old-man-is-a_2409695.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A young man is a theory, an old man is a fact.” — E. W. Howe", "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": "E. W. Howe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-w-howe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A young man is a theory,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/a-young-man-is-a-theory-an-old-man-is-a-fact/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-w-howe/a-young-man-is-a-theory-an-old-man-is-a-fact/#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 } } ] } ```