Eternal youth Quote by William Faulkner
““I tell you, they were not men after spoils and glory; they were boys riding the sheer tremendous tidal wave of desperate living. Boys. Because this. This is beautiful. Listen. Try to see it. Here is that fine shape of eternal youth and virginal desire which makes heroes. That makes the doings of heroes border so close upon the unbelievable that it is no wonder that their doings must emerge now and then like gunflashes in the smoke, and that their very physical passing becomes rumor with a thousand faces before breath is out of them, lest paradoxical truth outrage itself.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Sound and the Fury, William Faulkner, 1929
The quote celebrates youthful, reckless vigor that makes heroic deeds seem miraculous, while acknowledging the fleeting, mythic nature of such moments.
In simple terms: Youthful intensity makes heroes seem magical.
Key Takeaway
Embrace boldness, but stay grounded.
Themes
heroism
youth
myth
transience
desperation
Mood
awe
intense
reflective
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- adventure
- creative pursuits
- risk‑taking
- personal transformation
- artistic expression
Key Concepts
existentialism
romanticism
heroic idealism
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives people to seek heroic moments?
- How can we channel youthful energy responsibly?
A Different Perspective
Such fervor can lead to reckless decisions and unsustainable expectations.
