Quote by Ambrose Bierce
Enthusiasm - a distemper of youth, curable by small doses of repentance in connection with outward applications of experience.
Summary
This quote suggests that enthusiasm, which is often associated with the impulsive spirit of youth, can be a problem that can be remedied. The speaker proposes that small doses of repentance, or reflection on past actions and their consequences, along with the application of real-life experiences, can help mitigate the excessive enthusiasm of young individuals. Essentially, the quote implies that the exuberance of youth can be tempered through introspection and the wisdom gained from personal encounters with the world.