quote · Legacy record
Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying “yes” begins things. Saying “yes” is how things grow. Saying “yes” leads to knowledge. “Yes” is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say “yes'.
Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying “yes” begins things. Saying “yes” is how things grow. Saying “yes” leads to knowledge. “Yes” is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say “yes'.
Approximate author period: c. 1964 AD · modern
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- Author or tradition
- Stephen Colbert
Attribution: attributed - Country attributed
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- Approximate author period: c. 1964 AD · modern
Approximate author-period anchor from documented birth year 1964; activity date not established; Wikidata Q212886, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212886 (accessed 2026-10-08). Not a quotation composition date.
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Supplied reference C; CSV row 18475; supplied attribution, independently unverified
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