proverb · Legacy record
Live a good, honorable life–when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
Live a good, honorable life–when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
An honourable life enjoyed again through later reflection gives conduct a future memory value. The saying encourages choices one may appreciate in retrospect.
What the words are saying
The second enjoyment is a reflective image rather than guaranteed happiness in older age. A useful interpretation considers values and actual consequences without promising a favourable memory or treating grief and regret as proof of a dishonourable life. Different experiences can coexist in reflection.
Everyday example
Someone considers whether a present decision accords with values they expect to stand by later.
When to use it
Use it to discuss conduct and reflection with emotional outcomes unpromised.
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What it does not mean
No guaranteed late-life contentment or moral diagnosis from regret is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
United States
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 84; PDF page 16; collection label: United States
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- United States