The Euphoric Youth

prologue

p r o l o g u e

"

youth is not a time of life

it is a state of mind

it is a temper of the will

a quality of the imagination

a vigor of the emotions

a predominance

of courage

over timidity

of the appetite for adventure

over love of ease

nobody grows old by merely

living a number of years

people grow old only by

deserting their ideals

years wrinkle the skin

but to give up enthusiasm

wrinkles the soul

worry

doubt

self-distrust

fear

and despair

these are the long, long years

that bow the head and

turn the growing spirit

back to dust

whether they are

sixteen or seventy

there is in every being's heart

the love of wonder

the sweet amazement

at the stars and starlike things and thoughts

the undaunted challenge

of events

the unfailing childlike appetite

for what is to come next

and the joy

and the game of life

you are as young as your faith

as old as your doubt

as young as your self-confidence

as old as your fear

as young as your hope

as old as your despair

when the wires are all down

and all the innermost core

of your heart

is covered with the snows

of pessimism

and the ice of cynicism

then you are grown old indeed

but so long as your heart

receives messages

of beauty

cheer

courage

grandeur

and power

from the earth

from man and

from the infinite

so

long

you

are

young

"

- samuel ullman