--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I frequently hear persons in old age say…" description: "\"I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, That I will live just so as I can ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1d/jonathan-edwards-770_age_i-frequently-hear-persons-in-old-age-say_2673622.png" --- # I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would… ![“I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, That I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age.” quote by Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1d/jonathan-edwards-770_age_i-frequently-hear-persons-in-old-age-say_2673622.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1d/jonathan-edwards-770_age_i-frequently-hear-persons-in-old-age-say_2673622.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1d/jonathan-edwards-770_age_i-frequently-hear-persons-in-old-age-say_2673622.png) > “I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, That I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age.” [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People wish to live again with the intention of making better choices, reflecting on missed opportunities. **In simple terms:** Regret drives desire to improve future actions. Key Takeaway Learn from past regrets to guide present choices. Themes regret reflection second chances purpose Mood reflective thoughtful Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - life planning - career changes - personal relationships Key Concepts theology philosophy self‑improvement Questions to Reflect On - What lessons have you drawn from past decisions? - How can you turn regret into action? A Different Perspective Regret can paralyze rather than motivate. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Old age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-age/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [Resolved to live with all my might while I do live, and as I shall wish I had done ten thousand years hence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/resolved-to-live-with-all-my-might-while-i-do-live-and-as-i-shall/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/resolved-that-i-will-live-so-as-i-shall-wish-i-had-done-when-i-come/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [I suppose you think that persons who are as old as your father and myself are always thinking about very grave things, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-suppose-you-think-that-persons-who-are-as-old-as-your-father-and/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [As we grow older we think more and more of old persons and of old things and places. As to old persons, it seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-sr/as-we-grow-older-we-think-more-and-more-of-old-persons-and-of-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-sr/) > [Society always consists, in greatest part, of young and foolish persons. The old, who have seen through the hypocrisy of the courts and statesmen,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/society-always-consists-in-greatest-part-of-young-and-foolish-persons/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Let us all so live as we shall wish we had lived when we come to die; for that only is well, that ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/let-us-all-so-live-as-we-shall-wish-we-had-lived-when-we-come-to-die/) [Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/) > [If we are ever in doubt about what to do, it is a good rule to ask ourselves what we shall wish on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/if-we-are-ever-in-doubt-about-what-to-do-it-is-a-good-rule-to-ask/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [My wish for today is to hold you in my arms someday. This distance between us both won't let me but someday I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine/my-wish-for-today-is-to-hold-you-in-my-arms-someday-this-distance/) [Josephine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine/) > [“In particular, we must observe   this general rule, that we cordially desire and labor for the welfare   of the whole human race. Thus it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/in-particular-we-must-observe-this-general-rule-that-we-cordially/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [“I have often wondered how it is that every man loves himself more than all the rest of men, but yet sets less value…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/i-have-often-wondered-how-it-is-that-every-man-loves-himself-more/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [As you think, you shall become](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/as-you-think-you-shall-become/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [“Someone said that intelligence would be needed in the party. He was right. I think I shall come with you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-fellowship-of-the-rings/someone-said-that-intelligence-would-be-needed-in-the-party-he-was/) J.R.R. Tolkien (Fellowship of the Rings > [Do others, I wondered, "see things as I do? I do not think so, for if they did they would not still be alive."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-mairs/do-others-i-wondered-see-things-as-i-do-i-do-not-think-so-for-if-they/) [Nancy Mairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-mairs/) > [I traveled and made money and I wouldn't let anybody get between me and my music. If I belong to anything, I belong to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eva-jessye/i-traveled-and-made-money-and-i-wouldn-t-let-anybody-get-between-me/) Eva Jessye > [“As I think of myself, so I shall be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vironika-tugaleva/as-i-think-of-myself-so-i-shall-be/) [Vironika Tugaleva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vironika-tugaleva/) ## More by Jonathan Edwards > [The foundation of the Christian's peace is everlasting; it is what no time, no change can destroy. It will remain when the body dies;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/the-foundation-of-the-christian-s-peace-is-everlasting-it-is-what-no/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“Every saint in heaven is as a flower in that garden of God, and holy love is the fragrance and sweet odor that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/every-saint-in-heaven-is-as-a-flower-in-that-garden-of-god-and-holy/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [God is glorified not only by His glory being seen, but by its being rejoiced in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/god-is-glorified-not-only-by-his-glory-being-seen-but-by-its-being/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [There is no way that Christians, in a private capacity, can do so much to promote the work of God and advance the kingdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/there-is-no-way-that-christians-in-a-private-capacity-can-do-so-much/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [Godliness is more easily feigned in words than in actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/godliness-is-more-easily-feigned-in-words-than-in-actions/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“Let the main thing that we prize in God’s house be, not the outward ornaments of it, or a high seat in it, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/let-the-main-thing-that-we-prize-in-god-s-house-be-not-the-outward/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“But that is the nature of true grace and spiritual light, that it opens to a person's view the infinite reason there is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/but-that-is-the-nature-of-true-grace-and-spiritual-light-that-it/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“The most determining external influence on his style was unquestionably the old, so-called King James version of the English Bible. His language is saturated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/the-most-determining-external-influence-on-his-style-was/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“Edwards sought to impose a new test of qualification. He required, namely, that the candidate for full communion should give evidence of being converted,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/edwards-sought-to-impose-a-new-test-of-qualification-he-required/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [ “But it is doubtless true, and evident from \[the\] Scriptures, that the essence of all true religion lies in holy love; and that in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/but-it-is-doubtless-true-and-evident-from-the-scriptures-that-the/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“Evangelical faith has the gospel of Christ for its foundation;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/evangelical-faith-has-the-gospel-of-christ-for-its-foundation/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“Prop. II. There are many mansions in the house of God. By many mansions is meant many seats or places of abode.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/prop-ii-there-are-many-mansions-in-the-house-of-god-by-many-mansions/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [I resolve to live with all my might while I do live. I resolve never to lose one moment of time and to improve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/i-resolve-to-live-with-all-my-might-while-i-do-live-i-resolve-never/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has flung the door of mercy wide open, and stands in the door…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/and-now-you-have-an-extraordinary-opportunity-a-day-wherein-christ/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [Christ gives peace to the most sinful and miserable that come to Him. He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/christ-gives-peace-to-the-most-sinful-and-miserable-that-come-to-him/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) [Explore all 375 Jonathan Edwards quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) ## More Age quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [When I first started writing, when I was 15, I would go to work with people and they would tell me my lyrics were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-claudio/when-i-first-started-writing-when-i-was-15-i-would-go-to-work-with/) [Sabrina Claudio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-claudio/) > [Real people speak in my books about the main events of the age, such as the war, the Chernobyl disaster, and the downfall of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/svetlana-alexievich/real-people-speak-in-my-books-about-the-main-events-of-the-age-such/) [Svetlana Alexievich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/svetlana-alexievich/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Age is an accumulation of life and loss. Adulthood is a series of lines crossed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-goodman/age-is-an-accumulation-of-life-and-loss-adulthood-is-a-series-of/) [Ellen Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-goodman/) > [I calculated that if I live up to the age of 80, then I end up using 450 toothbrushes in my life. All that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dia-mirza/i-calculated-that-if-i-live-up-to-the-age-of-80-then-i-end-up-using/) [Dia Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dia-mirza/) > [Why is wisdom so fair? Why is beauty so wise? Because all else is temporary, while beauty and wisdom are the only real and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/why-is-wisdom-so-fair-why-is-beauty-so-wise-because-all-else-is/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [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/) > [We have started to make music at age seven. That was a hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-kaulitz/we-have-started-to-make-music-at-age-seven-that-was-a-hard-work/) [Bill Kaulitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-kaulitz/) [Browse all 18,948 Age quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, That I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jonathan Edwards" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/i-frequently-hear-persons-in-old-age-say-how-they-would-live-if-they/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Age" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/i-frequently-hear-persons-in-old-age-say-how-they-would-live-if-they/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1d/jonathan-edwards-770_age_i-frequently-hear-persons-in-old-age-say_2673622.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1d/jonathan-edwards-770_age_i-frequently-hear-persons-in-old-age-say_2673622.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1d/jonathan-edwards-770_age_i-frequently-hear-persons-in-old-age-say_2673622.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again…” — Jonathan Edwards", "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": "Jonathan Edwards", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I frequently hear persons in old...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/i-frequently-hear-persons-in-old-age-say-how-they-would-live-if-they/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/i-frequently-hear-persons-in-old-age-say-how-they-would-live-if-they/#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 } } ] } ```