Adventure Quote by William Somerset Maugham
““Philip realised that they had done with life, these two quiet little people: they belonged to a past generation, and they were waiting there patiently, rather stupidly, for death; and he, in his vigour and his youth, thirsting for excitement and adventure, was appalled at the waste. They had done nothing, and when they went it would be just as if they had never been. He felt a great pity for Aunt Louisa, and he loved her suddenly because she loved him.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Moon and Sixpence, W. Somerset Maugham, 1919
The narrator contrasts youthful vigor and desire for adventure with older, passive lives, feeling pity for those who never fulfill potential.
In simple terms: Youth seeks excitement; older people seem wasted.
Key Takeaway
Value purpose over mere existence.
Themes
life
purpose
generational contrast
regret
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
novel
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career choices
- family responsibilities
- personal fulfillment
Key Concepts
existentialism
meaning
mortality
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines a life well lived?
- How can we honor different life paths?
A Different Perspective
Older generations may find meaning in quiet ways.
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