Youth is wasted on the young.

"Youth is wasted on the young." These poignant words, spoken by the great George Bernard Shaw, strike at the heart of a truth known by those who have seen the seasons of life pass, who have felt the weight of years upon their shoulders. How often do the young, full of vigor and energy, squander the precious gift of youth, unaware of its fleeting nature? The youthful spirit, vibrant and bold, is often consumed by distractions, illusions of immortality, and the thrill of temporary pleasures, while the wisdom of the aged—those who have tasted life in all its depth—understands what it means to truly savor the gift of time.

In our youth, we are often blinded by the dazzling fire of life itself. The days stretch out before us like an unbroken horizon, and the urgency of youthful desires calls us forward. We chase fleeting joys—love, fame, excitement—believing that they will fill the void within us, believing that we have endless time to discover deeper truths. Yet, in doing so, we fail to see the value of the time we possess. Shaw's words remind us that youth is not just a time of physical strength, but a precious resource—a resource that, when spent recklessly, leaves us with regret when the years have passed and the fire of our youth begins to fade.

Consider the life of Alexander the Great, a man who conquered the world at a mere twenty-five years of age. His youth was spent in battle, in pursuit of power, in the relentless chase of ambition. He had all the energy in the world, all the strength of youth, yet his vision was narrow, focused on glory and conquest. Alexander had the world at his feet, but by the time he reached the heights of his empire, he found that the very youth that had propelled him forward was also the cause of his untimely downfall. The flame that burned so brightly in his youth consumed him before he could truly understand the weight of the empire he had built. In the end, his youth was wasted on ambitions that never allowed him to pause and reflect on the greater truths of life.

Shaw's quote also speaks to the nature of wisdom itself. The older generations look upon the world with a deeper understanding, knowing that life is not simply about accumulating achievements, but about living meaningfully. In youth, we often lack this understanding. We fail to appreciate the simple joys of living, the quiet moments, the value of introspection, and the richness of human connection. It is only when we grow older, when the passions of youth begin to ebb, that we begin to see what we have missed. The older generations have the clarity of experience, and they can see how the youthful energy could have been better spent—how the fleeting joys of youth could have been replaced with more lasting, more meaningful pursuits.

The life of Leonardo da Vinci offers us another example. Though his youth was spent in relentless exploration and experimentation, da Vinci’s genius truly flourished when he tempered his passions with the wisdom of years. His early works were driven by the raw impulses of youth, but it was in his later years—when the fires of youth had tempered into mature reflection—that he created some of his most revered works. His life teaches us that the energy of youth can be a powerful force, but it must be guided by deeper understanding to leave a lasting legacy. The lesson here is clear: youth, when harnessed with wisdom, becomes a force that shapes the world. When wasted on fleeting desires, it is like a flame that burns brightly but leaves little behind.

So, what of the lesson we must take from Shaw’s words? Youth is not simply a time of strength, of passion, of freedom. It is a gift—a gift that must be treated with the utmost reverence. It is a time not only for pursuing dreams, but for shaping them. It is a time for learning, for cultivating a deep understanding of the world and our place within it. To waste it is to squander the opportunity to build the foundation upon which the rest of our lives will stand. Youth is the moment when the seed is planted, but it is up to us to ensure that the seed is nurtured with wisdom, purpose, and thoughtfulness.

Therefore, let the young not squander their strength on fleeting joys that will fade with the setting sun. Let them seek meaning, not just pleasure, and wisdom, not just fame. The gift of youth lies not in the energy of the body alone, but in the clarity of purpose that can be found through reflection and discipline. May those who stand on the edge of youth remember Shaw's words and take to heart the timeless truth that to truly honor the gift of youth, one must temper it with wisdom, seek not only excitement but meaning, and understand that the greatest power of youth lies not in how much we do, but in how deeply we live.