It may almost be a question whether such wisdom as many of us have in our mature years has not come from the dying out of the power of temptation, rather than as the results of thought and resolution.

Summary

This quote suggests that wisdom attained in maturity may not solely be a product of deep contemplation and deliberate decision-making, but rather the consequence of the diminishing allure of temptation. It raises the possibility that as one gets older, they may become more resistant to the temptations that led them astray in their youth, therefore gaining wisdom from avoiding those pitfalls rather than from deliberate efforts. Essentially, it questions the source of wisdom, proposing that it can arise from the erosion of the power of temptation rather than solely from conscious reflection and determination.

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