---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If a man lives to any considerable age…"
description: "\"If a man lives to any considerable age, it can not be denied that he laments his imprudences, but I notice he often laments his youth a deal more bitte..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/robert-louis-stevenson-289_age_if-a-man-lives-to-any-considerable-age-i_2381018.jpg"
---

#  If a man lives to any considerable age, it can not be…

![“If a man lives to any considerable age, it can not be denied that he laments his imprudences, but I notice he often laments his youth a deal more bitterly and with a more genuine intonation.” quote by Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/robert-louis-stevenson-289_age_if-a-man-lives-to-any-considerable-age-i_2381018.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/robert-louis-stevenson-289_age_if-a-man-lives-to-any-considerable-age-i_2381018.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/robert-louis-stevenson-289_age_if-a-man-lives-to-any-considerable-age-i_2381018.jpg)

> “If a man lives to any considerable age, it can not be denied that he laments his imprudences, but I notice he often laments his youth a deal more bitterly and with a more genuine intonation.”

[Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People often regret their past mistakes, but they mourn their lost youth more intensely because it represents missed potential and unfulfilled dreams.

**In simple terms:** Youth is missed more bitterly than mistakes.

Key Takeaway

Cherish present opportunities.

Themes

regret nostalgia time reflection mortality

Mood

melancholic reflective

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- career planning
- personal growth
- relationship building
- health decisions

Key Concepts

existential psychology aging

Questions to Reflect On

- What youthful opportunities do you still feel you missed?
- How can you turn past regrets into present action?

A Different Perspective

Regret can paralyze if not balanced with acceptance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Intonation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intonation/) [Lament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lament/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Old age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-age/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/)

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