“A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age.”
- April 26, 1564 – April 23, 1616
- Born in England
- Playwright, poet, actor
- Wrote many masterpieces such as “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Macbeth,” and had a great influence on English literature
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Quote
“A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age.”
Explanation
This quote from Shakespeare’s The Rape of Lucrece speaks to the changing nature of desires and preferences as one grows older. “A man loves the meat in his youth” suggests that in youth, individuals often seek passion, pleasure, and indulgence—the “meat” of life that offers immediate gratification. However, “that he cannot endure in his age” indicates that as a person matures and grows older, their desires and needs change. What was once enjoyable or desirable in youth becomes difficult to handle or even distasteful in later years, often due to the physical, emotional, or psychological changes that come with age.
In modern contexts, this quote reflects the idea that priorities and desires shift over time. For example, a person might prioritize adventure, excitement, and physical pleasure in their younger years, but as they grow older, they might seek stability, wisdom, or simpler pleasures, preferring quieter activities or more meaningful connections. The quote also speaks to the temporal nature of human desires—how what we crave at one stage in life may no longer be appealing as we evolve.
Ultimately, this quote highlights the inevitable changes that come with the passage of time, reminding us that what we value or enjoy can shift significantly as we age. It encourages reflection on how our needs, values, and desires evolve throughout our lives, and how maturity often brings a shift toward deeper or more enduring forms of satisfaction.
