Youth

Youth is not just a stage of life, it is a state of mind. It is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees, it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions.

Youth means the predominance of courage over timidity, adventure over the love of ease. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, doubt, self-distrust, fear and despair, let us bow the head.

Whether sixty or sixteen, there is in every human being's heart the love of wonder, the undaunted challenge of events, the unfailing childlike appetite for what may happen next. You are young as long as you have faith, hope and self-confidence, you are old as long as you have doubt, fear and despair.