An important difference between youth and old age is that one can prepare for old age. You are inevitably thrown into being young suddenly, at birth. Every step after that leads into new existential territory. Only gradually, through education, with increasing familiarization with life, can the tremendous process of growing up be caught up with and think about. Youth can be brooding, but not from the first moment.
Albert von Schirnding’s reflections on old age “Old man, what now?” – Culture
