---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was a child, I spake as a child, I…"
description: "\"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man I put away childish things because. wow,..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2e/terry-pratchett-19_bvb_when-i-was-a-child-i-spake-as-a-child-i_3144233.jpg"
---

#  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a…

![“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man I put away childish things because. wow, then I could afford much *better* childish things!” quote by Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2e/terry-pratchett-19_bvb_when-i-was-a-child-i-spake-as-a-child-i_3144233.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2e/terry-pratchett-19_bvb_when-i-was-a-child-i-spake-as-a-child-i_3144233.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2e/terry-pratchett-19_bvb_when-i-was-a-child-i-spake-as-a-child-i_3144233.jpg)

> “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man I put away childish things because. wow, then I could afford much \*better\* childish things!”

[Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/)

## About This Quote

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

Maturity involves shedding naive habits and embracing more sophisticated pleasures.

**In simple terms:** Growing up means leaving childish ways for better ones.

Key Takeaway

Embrace growth, seek refined experiences.

Themes

growth reflection humor maturity refinement

Mood

reflective witty thoughtful

Type

literary philosophical humorous

When to use this quote

- career advancement
- personal relationships
- creative pursuits
- financial planning

Key Concepts

coming of age satire personal development

Questions to Reflect On

- What childish habits still serve you?
- How can you balance maturity with playfulness?

A Different Perspective

Maturity can also mean losing spontaneity and wonder.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Better Childish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-childish-5616486/) [Bvb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bvb/) [Child Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child-thought/) [Childish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childish/) [Childish things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childish-things/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Hackers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hackers/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Understood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood/) [Understood Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood-child-2495138/) [Wow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wow/)

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## More by Terry Pratchett

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