Adolescent Quote by Patrick O'Brian
““He had known it often enough. A delightful child, even a delightful early adolescent, interested in everything, alive,affectionate, would turn into a thick, heavy, stupid brute and never recover: ageing men would become wholly self-centered, indifferent to those who had been their friends, avaricious””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian, 1970s
A once curious, affectionate person can become selfish and bitter with age, losing empathy and becoming greedy.
In simple terms: People can become selfish as they age.
Key Takeaway
Guard against self‑centredness.
Themes
aging
human nature
empathy
greed
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family relationships
- friendships
- elder care
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
psychology
moral decline
loneliness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we nurture empathy in later life?
- What habits prevent becoming self‑centered?
A Different Perspective
Not all aging leads to selfishness; many retain compassion.
