Only the old are innocent. That is what the Victorians understood, and the Christians. Original sin is a property of the young. The old grow beyond corruption very quickly.

Summary

This quote suggests that innocence is more commonly found in older individuals rather than in the young, as understood by the Victorians and Christians. It implies that original sin, often associated with the youth, is outgrown and the elderly are less susceptible to corruption. The belief is that with age and experience, individuals mature and become less prone to succumbing to immoral tendencies. Therefore, the quote insinuates that innocence is a virtue that is more prevalent among older people.

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