“It’s one of the great fallacies that time gives much of anything but years and sadness to a man.”

A quote from East of Eden by John Steinbeck:

“Seems to me you put too much stock in the affairs of children. It probably didn’t mean anything.”

“Yes, it meant something.” Then he said, “Mr. Trask, do you think the thoughts of people suddenly become important at a given age? Do you have sharper feelings or clearer thoughts now than when you were ten? Do you see as well, hear as well, taste as vitally?”

“Maybe you’re right,” said Adam.

“It’s one of the great fallacies, it seems to me,” said Lee, “that time gives much of anything but years and sadness to a man.”

“And memory.”

“Yes, memory. Without that, time would be unarmed against us.

John Steinbeck, East of Eden

There’s a lot to unpack, and I can’t decide how I feel yet. So for now, just the quote. What do you think about it? Email me or tweet at me.