--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An adolescent is both an impulsive child…" description: "\"An adolescent is both an impulsive child and a self-starting adult.\" — Mason Cooley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/mason-cooley-92_adolescent_an-adolescent-is-both-an-impulsive-child_2064597.png" --- # An adolescent is both an impulsive child and a… ![“An adolescent is both an impulsive child and a self-starting adult.” quote by Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/mason-cooley-92_adolescent_an-adolescent-is-both-an-impulsive-child_2064597.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/mason-cooley-92_adolescent_an-adolescent-is-both-an-impulsive-child_2064597.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/mason-cooley-92_adolescent_an-adolescent-is-both-an-impulsive-child_2064597.png) > “An adolescent is both an impulsive child and a self-starting adult.” [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adolescence blends youthful impulsivity with emerging adult responsibility. **In simple terms:** Teenagers act like kids but start acting like adults. Key Takeaway Balance impulse with purpose. Themes growth responsibility identity Mood reflective encouraging Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - school decisions - first jobs - relationships - self‑management Key Concepts psychology developmental stages Questions to Reflect On - How can teens channel impulsive energy productively? - What adult habits can they adopt early? A Different Perspective Impulsivity can undermine long‑term goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adolescent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adolescent/) [Adolescent Impulsive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adolescent-impulsive-3955391/) [Adults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adults/) [Child Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child-self-374559/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Impulsive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impulsive/) [Impulsive Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impulsive-child-3955392/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting/) ## Related quotes > [Natural Man, in our current version, is a disgruntled adolescent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/natural-man-in-our-current-version-is-a-disgruntled-adolescent/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [As a child I was middle-aged and cautious compared to my impulsive father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/as-a-child-i-was-middle-aged-and-cautious-compared-to-my-impulsive/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Spina bifida affects every single aspect of your life, from your child's self-esteem to your ability to sleep at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-ari-parker/spina-bifida-affects-every-single-aspect-of-your-life-from-your-child/) [Nicole Ari Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-ari-parker/) > [“A child is a part of the self, and of the loved partner; a representation of generations past; the genes of the forebears; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-raphael/a-child-is-a-part-of-the-self-and-of-the-loved-partner-a/) [Beverly Raphael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-raphael/) > [Once you see a child's self-image begin to improve, you will see significant gains in achievement areas, but even more important, you will see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/once-you-see-a-child-s-self-image-begin-to-improve-you-will-see/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [“A child is not a bona fide adult, regardless of age, until the child is self-supporting.)   During”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rosemond/a-child-is-not-a-bona-fide-adult-regardless-of-age-until-the-child-is/) [John Rosemond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rosemond/) > [“People don’t necessarily realize it when they contribute to the erosion of a child’s self-worth, but kids pay attention to how people treat them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-k-sanz/people-don-t-necessarily-realize-it-when-they-contribute-to-the/) [D.K. Sanz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-k-sanz/) > [I will plant my feet on that step where my parents put me as a child, until self-evident truth comes to light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-will-plant-my-feet-on-that-step-where-my-parents-put-me-as-a-child/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The clearer the rules and the limits enforced by parents, the higher the child's self-esteem. The more freedom the child had, the lower his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-seligman/the-clearer-the-rules-and-the-limits-enforced-by-parents-the-higher/) [Martin Seligman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-seligman/) > [I feel that when a child has self-worth and purpose, that's what keeps them grounded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jada-pinkett-smith/i-feel-that-when-a-child-has-self-worth-and-purpose-that-s-what-keeps/) [Jada Pinkett Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jada-pinkett-smith/) > [At some point, parents may become inured to a child's self-destruction, but I never did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sheff/at-some-point-parents-may-become-inured-to-a-child-s-self-destruction/) [David Sheff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sheff/) > [I'm an only child, so I am a very self-motivated and driven person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ti-west/i-m-an-only-child-so-i-am-a-very-self-motivated-and-driven-person/) [Ti West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ti-west/) > [I was really shy when I was a child, very self-conscious about taking up space or being an attention seeker. I was the kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-sumner/i-was-really-shy-when-i-was-a-child-very-self-conscious-about-taking/) [Mickey Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-sumner/) > [I feel different. You know this many times over, because you are a parent, but it transforms you. It's this incredible experience where, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-spektor/i-feel-different-you-know-this-many-times-over-because-you-are-a/) [Regina Spektor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-spektor/) > [Any child who is self-sufficient, who can tie his shoes, dress or undress himself, reflects in his joy and sense of achievement the image…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/any-child-who-is-self-sufficient-who-can-tie-his-shoes-dress-or/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) ## More by Mason Cooley > [Nostalgia keeps dissolving the ironic narratives in which I have contained my past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/nostalgia-keeps-dissolving-the-ironic-narratives-in-which-i-have/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [The modernist writers found despair inspirational.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-modernist-writers-found-despair-inspirational/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Even the most abject have a sense of superiority based on powerful though undefined merits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/even-the-most-abject-have-a-sense-of-superiority-based-on-powerful/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Money comes to life as it is spent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/money-comes-to-life-as-it-is-spent/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Even the most fickle are faithful to a few bad habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/even-the-most-fickle-are-faithful-to-a-few-bad-habits/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Rage is exciting, but leaves me confused and exhausted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/rage-is-exciting-but-leaves-me-confused-and-exhausted/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Literary tradition is full of lies about poverty-the jolly beggar, the poor but happy milkmaid, the wholesome diet of porridge, etc.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/literary-tradition-is-full-of-lies-about-poverty-the-jolly-beggar-the/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Experience teaches us, but we scarcely know what.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/experience-teaches-us-but-we-scarcely-know-what/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [The body has a mind of its own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-body-has-a-mind-of-its-own/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [In retirement, I look for days off from my days off. Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/in-retirement-i-look-for-days-off-from-my-days-off-mason-cooley/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [My intentions go one way, my desires another. Thus I feel both self-indulgent and deprived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/my-intentions-go-one-way-my-desires-another-thus-i-feel-both-self/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [The Puritan sours his pleasures by disguising them as duties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-puritan-sours-his-pleasures-by-disguising-them-as-duties/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Unlike the actual, the fictional explains itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/unlike-the-actual-the-fictional-explains-itself/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Vacations prove that a life of pleasure is overrated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/vacations-prove-that-a-life-of-pleasure-is-overrated/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [Outside literature, high-flown sentiments are merely exasperating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/outside-literature-high-flown-sentiments-are-merely-exasperating/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) [Explore all 1,401 Mason Cooley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) ## More Adolescent quotes > [“Adolescent youths cry out for us to help them contextualize their life experiences.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gurian/adolescent-youths-cry-out-for-us-to-help-them-contextualize-their/) [Michael Gurian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gurian/) > [“It’s too easy to follow bad but attractive leaders, embrace pleasurable but destructive habits, ignore looming disaster because maybe it won’t happen after all—or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavia-e-butler/it-s-too-easy-to-follow-bad-but-attractive-leaders-embrace/) [Octavia E. Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavia-e-butler/) > [“I will never be crazy," repeats the adolescent hero to herself. "I will never get killed. I have to grow up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-will-never-be-crazy-repeats-the-adolescent-hero-to-herself-i-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A lot of people pass off adolescent depression as something trivial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-sturm/a-lot-of-people-pass-off-adolescent-depression-as-something-trivial/) [Lacey Sturm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-sturm/) > [Why do people stop developing, or, like they stop the way you can rate their, psychologically, their development? Where they stop, and just from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edie-sedgwick/why-do-people-stop-developing-or-like-they-stop-the-way-you-can-rate/) [Edie Sedgwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edie-sedgwick/) > [There's only one thing harder than living in a home with an adolescent - and that's being an adolescent. The moodiness, the volatility, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-kluger/there-s-only-one-thing-harder-than-living-in-a-home-with-an/) [Jeffrey Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-kluger/) > [Mozart was very much an arrested adolescent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-curry/mozart-was-very-much-an-arrested-adolescent/) [Tim Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-curry/) > [When I was nine, we moved to Stanford University in San Francisco so that my father could do a Ph.D. I went to Terman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-lawrence/when-i-was-nine-we-moved-to-stanford-university-in-san-francisco-so/) [Caroline Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-lawrence/) > [“There is so much woman in many a girl and too much boy in many a man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/there-is-so-much-woman-in-many-a-girl-and-too-much-boy-in-many-a-man/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“I've had a great deal of experience with adolescents over the centuries, and I've discovered that as a group these awkward half children take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-had-a-great-deal-of-experience-with-adolescents-over-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Adolescents are still children in that they can't yet tell the difference between make believe and fiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-o-neill/adolescents-are-still-children-in-that-they-can-t-yet-tell-the/) [Heather O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-o-neill/) > [“Capture your youth, while you can.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/capture-your-youth-while-you-can/) [Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/) > [Adults forget the depths of languor into which the adolescent mind decends with ease. They are prone to undervalue the mental growth that occurs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/adults-forget-the-depths-of-languor-into-which-the-adolescent-mind/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Music, especially as an adolescent, helps to build identity because that's when people start developing a sense of self. You can kind of tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aloe-blacc/music-especially-as-an-adolescent-helps-to-build-identity-because/) [Aloe Blacc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aloe-blacc/) > [Babies did not attract me, and I was altogether without the maternal sense so highly developed in small and adolescent girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-levi-montalcini/babies-did-not-attract-me-and-i-was-altogether-without-the-maternal/) [Rita Levi-Montalcini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-levi-montalcini/) [Browse all 151 Adolescent quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adolescent/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "An adolescent is both an impulsive child and a self-starting adult.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mason Cooley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/an-adolescent-is-both-an-impulsive-child-and-a-self-starting-adult/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Adolescent" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/an-adolescent-is-both-an-impulsive-child-and-a-self-starting-adult/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/mason-cooley-92_adolescent_an-adolescent-is-both-an-impulsive-child_2064597.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/mason-cooley-92_adolescent_an-adolescent-is-both-an-impulsive-child_2064597.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/267/mason-cooley-92_adolescent_an-adolescent-is-both-an-impulsive-child_2064597.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“An adolescent is both an impulsive child and a self-starting adult.” — Mason Cooley", "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": "Mason Cooley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "An adolescent is both an impulsive...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/an-adolescent-is-both-an-impulsive-child-and-a-self-starting-adult/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/an-adolescent-is-both-an-impulsive-child-and-a-self-starting-adult/#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 } } ] } ```