The first sentence suggests that many people find it challenging to maintain their youthful ideals as they grow older and take on adult responsibilities. It implies that there are fewer opportunities or less encouragement for adults to act upon the idealistic beliefs they held during their student days.
Delving deeper, this quote reflects a broader societal trend where early ambitions may be overshadowed by practical realities of life. As individuals transition from education into careers and family obligations, they often face pressures that can dim the glow of their youthful aspirations. The statement challenges readers to consider how they might integrate or preserve elements of their idealism in the complexities of adult life. It encourages a reflection on whether these early ideals are truly abandoned or if there are alternative ways to express them within the constraints of adult responsibilities.
C. V. Raman, the author of this quote, was an Indian physicist known for his groundbreaking work in the field of light scattering, which led him to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. His insights often reflected a blend of scientific rigor and philosophical musings on life's challenges and opportunities.