Age Quote by Marguerite Young
“At the age of 18 all young poets are sure they will be dead at 21 - of old age.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Age of Youth” by Marguerite Young, 1970
Young poets overestimate their mortality, believing they will die early, reflecting youthful hubris and fear of aging.
In simple terms: Young poets think they’ll die early.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that life expectancy is longer than youthful fears.
Themes
youth
mortality
hubris
selfperception
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career planning
- mental health counseling
- creative writing workshops
- age-related decision making
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does youthful anxiety shape creative expression?
- What can temper unrealistic expectations about lifespan?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all young poets share this fatalistic view, which may not be universal.
![“...few young poets [are] testing their poems against the ear. They're writing for the page, and the page, let me tell you, is a cold bed.” quote by Stanley Kunitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/42c/stanley-kunitz-10896_bed_few-young-poets-are-testing-their-poems_617455.jpg)
