--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Only the old are innocent. That is what…" description: "\"Only the old are innocent. That is what the Victorians understood, and the Christians. Original sin is a property of the young. The old grow beyond cor..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5e/malcolm-bradbury-14039_christianity_only-the-old-are-innocent-that-is-what-t_348909.png" --- # Only the old are innocent. That is what the Victorians… ![“Only the old are innocent. That is what the Victorians understood, and the Christians. Original sin is a property of the young. The old grow beyond corruption very quickly.” quote by Malcolm Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5e/malcolm-bradbury-14039_christianity_only-the-old-are-innocent-that-is-what-t_348909.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5e/malcolm-bradbury-14039_christianity_only-the-old-are-innocent-that-is-what-t_348909.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b5e/malcolm-bradbury-14039_christianity_only-the-old-are-innocent-that-is-what-t_348909.png) > “Only the old are innocent. That is what the Victorians understood, and the Christians. Original sin is a property of the young. The old grow beyond corruption very quickly.” [Malcolm Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-bradbury/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that innocence is a trait of age, implying that youth bears the burden of original sin while the elderly have moved beyond moral corruption. **In simple terms:** Age brings innocence, youth bears sin. Key Takeaway Value the wisdom of age. Themes age innocence morality original sin generational perspective Mood reflective critical Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - intergenerational dialogue - ethical education - personal growth Key Concepts philosophical cultural critique ethical development Questions to Reflect On - How does society assign moral responsibility across ages? - Can innocence be cultivated at any age? A Different Perspective Youth may be unfairly blamed for moral failings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) [Original sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/original-sin/) [Property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/) ## Related quotes > [Stay innocent. I'm 69 years old, and I'm still innocent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ford-coppola/stay-innocent-i-m-69-years-old-and-i-m-still-innocent/) [Francis Ford Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ford-coppola/) > [ That's something that Francis \[Ford Coppola\] would always say. I remember when I was doing Tetro, he said, "Stay innocent. 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