--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whoever neglects the arts when he is…" description: "\"Whoever neglects the arts when he is young has lost the past and is dead to the future.\" — Sophocles" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/sophocles-370_art_whoever-neglects-the-arts-when-he-is-you_3018558.png" --- # Whoever neglects the arts when he is young has lost the… ![“Whoever neglects the arts when he is young has lost the past and is dead to the future.” quote by Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/sophocles-370_art_whoever-neglects-the-arts-when-he-is-you_3018558.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/sophocles-370_art_whoever-neglects-the-arts-when-he-is-you_3018558.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/sophocles-370_art_whoever-neglects-the-arts-when-he-is-you_3018558.png) > “Whoever neglects the arts when he is young has lost the past and is dead to the future.” [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Neglecting the arts in youth erodes cultural memory and hampers future growth. **In simple terms:** Arts preserve past, shape future. Key Takeaway Cultivate artistic appreciation early. Themes culture education legacy future Mood inspirational thoughtful Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - school curriculum - personal development - societal progress Key Concepts humanism cultural continuity Questions to Reflect On - How does art influence personal identity? - What alternatives preserve cultural memory? A Different Perspective May overstate arts' role alone. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [He was alone. The past was dead, the future was unimaginable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/he-was-alone-the-past-was-dead-the-future-was-unimaginable/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [When I was young I lost everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/when-i-was-young-i-lost-everything/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [It's the same old thing getting lost Day 'N' Nite young and lost in the pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kid-cudi/it-s-the-same-old-thing-getting-lost-day-n-nite-young-and-lost-in-the/) [Kid Cudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kid-cudi/) > [You see the transformation that the arts have on young people. It changes their lives for the better. That's where my engagement is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-washington/you-see-the-transformation-that-the-arts-have-on-young-people-it/) [Kerry Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-washington/) > [I was grounded in the performing arts from a very young age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pratik-gandhi/i-was-grounded-in-the-performing-arts-from-a-very-young-age/) [Pratik Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pratik-gandhi/) > [Programs that bring the arts to young kids are always the first to be cut. It's mind-boggling to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-andrews/programs-that-bring-the-arts-to-young-kids-are-always-the-first-to-be/) [Julie Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-andrews/) > [Lost past ,living in present still,believe to get some reason,to came back past ,you left me , but forgot to take ,your fragrance,warmness,breath ,always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex/lost-past-living-in-present-still-believe-to-get-some-reason-to-came/) Rex > [I don't get lost in the past or get stuck in some sad memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-gokey/i-don-t-get-lost-in-the-past-or-get-stuck-in-some-sad-memory/) [Danny Gokey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-gokey/) > [We grew up in a very creative environment and were exposed to the arts at a very young age, so it's not a surprise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spike-lee/we-grew-up-in-a-very-creative-environment-and-were-exposed-to-the/) [Spike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spike-lee/) > [The precariat can be divided into three further groups - atavists, who look back to a lost past; nostalgics, who look forlornly for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-standing/the-precariat-can-be-divided-into-three-further-groups-atavists-who/) [Guy Standing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-standing/) > [I've always been involved with the performing arts from a young age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aquaria/i-ve-always-been-involved-with-the-performing-arts-from-a-young-age/) [Aquaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aquaria/) > [“That's when I realized that part of me would probably always be lost in the past. That just seemed to be my personality: I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-harbison/that-s-when-i-realized-that-part-of-me-would-probably-always-be-lost/) [Beth Harbison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-harbison/) > [I was once lost in the past, but I learnt, I grew up, became strong. Now that I have reach the present I'm glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simphiwe-ntuli/i-was-once-lost-in-the-past-but-i-learnt-i-grew-up-became-strong-now/) [Simphiwe Ntuli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simphiwe-ntuli/) > [Whoso neglects learning in his youth, loses the past and is dead for the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/whoso-neglects-learning-in-his-youth-loses-the-past-and-is-dead-for/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [“Whoso neglects learning in his youth, loses his past and is dead for the future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/whoso-neglects-learning-in-his-youth-loses-his-past-and-is-dead-for/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) ## More by Sophocles > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [God's dice always have a lucky roll.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/god-s-dice-always-have-a-lucky-roll/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A fool cannot be an actor, though an actor may act a fool's part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-fool-cannot-be-an-actor-though-an-actor-may-act-a-fool-s-part/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Go then if you must, but remember, no matter how foolish your deeds, those who love you will love you still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/go-then-if-you-must-but-remember-no-matter-how-foolish-your-deeds/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Man's worst ill is stubbornness of heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/man-s-worst-ill-is-stubbornness-of-heart/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A lie never lives to be old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-lie-never-lives-to-be-old/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [How dangerous can false reasoning prove!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/how-dangerous-can-false-reasoning-prove/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Why should man fear since chance is all in all for him, and he can clearly foreknow nothing? Best to live lightly, as one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/why-should-man-fear-since-chance-is-all-in-all-for-him-and-he-can/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“But life takes sudden twists.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/but-life-takes-sudden-twists/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [When ice appears out of doors, and boys seize it up while it is solid, at first they experience new pleasures. But in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/when-ice-appears-out-of-doors-and-boys-seize-it-up-while-it-is-solid/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [For God hates utterly the bray of bragging tongues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/for-god-hates-utterly-the-bray-of-bragging-tongues/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“I have nothing but contempt for the kind of governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, to follow the course that he knows is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/i-have-nothing-but-contempt-for-the-kind-of-governor-who-is-afraid/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“Not from Hades' black and universal lake can you lift him. Not by groaning, not by prayers. Yet you run yourself out in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/not-from-hades-black-and-universal-lake-can-you-lift-him-not-by/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A fearful man is always hearing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-fearful-man-is-always-hearing-things/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [There is a point at which even justice does injury.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/there-is-a-point-at-which-even-justice-does-injury/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) [Explore all 621 Sophocles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Whoever neglects the arts when he is young has lost the past and is dead to the future.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sophocles" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/whoever-neglects-the-arts-when-he-is-young-has-lost-the-past-and-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/whoever-neglects-the-arts-when-he-is-young-has-lost-the-past-and-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/sophocles-370_art_whoever-neglects-the-arts-when-he-is-you_3018558.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/sophocles-370_art_whoever-neglects-the-arts-when-he-is-you_3018558.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/sophocles-370_art_whoever-neglects-the-arts-when-he-is-you_3018558.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Whoever neglects the arts when he is young has lost the past and is dead to the future.” — Sophocles", "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": "Sophocles", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Whoever neglects the arts when he...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/whoever-neglects-the-arts-when-he-is-young-has-lost-the-past-and-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/whoever-neglects-the-arts-when-he-is-young-has-lost-the-past-and-is/#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 } } ] } ```