Probably the happiest period in life most frequently is in middle age, when the eager passions of youth are cooled, and the infirmities of age not yet begun as we see that the shadows, which are at morning and evening so large, almost entirely disappear at midday.

Summary

This quote suggests that the happiest phase of life often occurs during middle age. During this time, the intense and impulsive passions of youth have subsided, and the physical and mental challenges of old age have not yet taken hold. It symbolically compares the shadows that loom large during morning and evening (representing the uncertainties and struggles of youth and old age) to the midday when these shadows fade away. Middle age is therefore portrayed as a period of relative contentment and peace, where individuals can enjoy a sense of stability and clarity.

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