Zena Quote by Meša Selimović
““Nevješt sam razgovoru sa ženama, pogotovo sa ženama njene ljepote i njenih godina. Oko trideset, čini mi se. Mlade djevojke zamišljaju život i vjeruju riječima. Starice se boje smrti i s uzdahom slušaju o raju. Ovakve znaju vrijednost svega što gube i dobijaju, i uvijek imaju svoje razloge, koji mogu biti čudni, ali su rijetko naivni. Njihove zrele oči su slobodne i kad se obaraju, neugodno otvorene, i kad se skrivaju trepavicama. Najneugodnije je što znamo da one znaju više nego što pokazuju, i da nas mjere svojim neobičnim mjerilima, koja teško saznajemo.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Death and the Dying, 1972
Youth idealizes life with hope, while elders fear death, yet both possess deep, often hidden, wisdom and motives.
In simple terms: Young people are hopeful; older people fear death but are wise.
Key Takeaway
Respect both youthful hope and elder experience.
Themes
youth
age
wisdom
hope
fear
Mood
thoughtful
nostalgic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- friendships
- family discussions
- career planning
- intergenerational mentorship
Key Concepts
existentialism
human nature
generational perspective
Questions to Reflect On
- What can younger people learn from elders' hidden wisdom?
- How do we honor both hope and fear in life?
A Different Perspective
Older generations may resist change, limiting shared growth.
