The young have exalted notions, because they have not been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations; moreover, their hopeful disposition makes them think themselves equal to great things—and that means having exalted notions. They would always rather do noble deeds than useful ones: Their lives are regulated more by moral feeling than by reasoning.... All their mistakes are in the direction of doing things excessively and vehemently. They overdo everything; they love too much, hate too much, and the same with everything else.

Summary

This quote suggests that young individuals often have an idealistic and ambitious mindset. They haven't yet experienced the hardships of life that can temper these exalted notions and shape their outlook on reality. Their optimism and belief in their own abilities lead them to believe they are capable of achieving great things. They prioritize noble deeds driven by moral values rather than practicality. However, due to their passion and lack of experience, they often tend to go to extremes, whether it be in their emotions, actions, or other aspects of life.