Nobody grows old by merely living a number
of years. People grow old by deserting their ideals. Years wrinkle
the skin, but the giving up of enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry,
doubt, self-distrust, fear, and despair---these are the long years that bow the
head and turn the growing spirit back to dust. You are as young as your
faith, as old as your doubt, as young as your self-confidence, as old as your
fears, as young as your hope, and old as your despair.
|