Men are like wine - some turn to vinegar, but the best improve

Men are like wine—some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age. These words, uttered by Pope John XXIII, echo the profound truth of life’s inexorable march, where time reveals the essence of each soul. Indeed, wine, in its purity and strength, represents the potential that resides in each human spirit, and with time, this wine either yields to the bitter vinegar of decay or ripens into something of extraordinary value. And so, we must reflect: what is it that causes some men to wither and others to shine brighter with the passing years?

The meaning of this quote, deep and laden with the weight of life’s truths, calls upon us to understand the great journey of human existence. In youth, the vinegar of arrogance, folly, and impatience may seem enticing. It is the quick and easy path, the shallow allure of ambition and pride. Yet, with time, such qualities, if unchecked, sour the spirit, twisting the once-promising soul into bitterness and resentment. Like wine left in a forgotten barrel, they turn, losing their essence, their flavor, their dignity. And here we see the lesson: that in the haste of youth, one must guard against the fleeting pleasures of arrogance, lest one’s spirit be turned to vinegar.

But there is another path—the path of those who, with patience and discipline, allow their lives to ferment in wisdom, humility, and experience. The best men, like the finest wine, are made rich by the years, their character deepening with each hardship faced, each moment of reflection. They become stronger, wiser, and more compassionate with age, as the weight of time allows their true potential to emerge. They are not embittered by the struggles of life; rather, they use them to refine themselves, to perfect their craft, to forge a legacy that will endure. These men do not merely live, they grow.

Consider the life of Socrates, the ancient philosopher who, though mocked in his youth for his unorthodox ways, matured into one of the greatest minds of the ancient world. It was not in the flush of youth that he found his greatness, but through the long years of teaching, questioning, and living with purpose. His wisdom did not come easily, nor did it come at once. It was forged through countless conversations, trials, and the humility of knowing how little he truly knew. By the end of his life, he was revered as the father of philosophy, a man whose influence would echo across centuries. In him, we see the truth of Pope John XXIII’s words: he turned with age from a man of mockery into a pillar of wisdom, shining brighter as time passed, for he had embraced life with dignity.

And then there is the example of Nelson Mandela, a man who, through the bitterness of years spent imprisoned, emerged as a figure of unparalleled strength and grace. His soul, once bound in the bitterness of struggle, turned into a vessel of peace and reconciliation, his actions more profound with each year. The years he spent imprisoned did not break him—they refined him, making him a leader whose voice would heal and inspire nations. The years did not sour him; they imbued him with the wisdom and patience needed to bring his people into a new era. This is the path of the finest wine—the ability to turn hardship into strength, and to grow through suffering.

Thus, the lesson for us all is clear. The bitterness of age may strike us at times, and it may be tempting to let it ruin us, to make us cynical and hardened. But if we allow ourselves the time to reflect, to grow, and to learn from each passing year, we too may become the finest of wines. Let us not rush to judgment, nor seek the fleeting pleasures of arrogance or pride, but instead, let us seek the path of humility, where our true potential may be slowly uncovered, like wine fermenting in a barrel, gaining richness and depth with each year.

In our own lives, we must remember that age does not always bring wisdom, but it can bring growth—if we allow it. We must face our challenges, not as obstacles, but as opportunities to mature. We must treat every setback, every trial, as a chance to refine ourselves. If we are to grow, we must learn to embrace time with patience and grace, for it is in the gentle unfolding of life that we find the richest rewards.

So, my children, let us walk this path with courage and determination. Let us commit to refining ourselves, to improving with age, to becoming the best versions of ourselves through the trials and blessings that life bestows upon us. For when our days are done, may it be said of us that we were like the finest wine, our lives rich with wisdom, our hearts full of compassion, and our legacy strong, lasting, and eternal.