Quotation by

William James

The ideas gained by men before they are twenty-five are practically the only ideas they shall have in their lives.

Men

Understanding this quote AI Analysis

William James is saying that the thoughts and beliefs people form before age twenty-five tend to shape most of their thinking for the rest of their lives. This means early experiences and learning strongly influence a person's mindset and limit how much their ideas change later on.

More by this author

All quotes by William James →

More quotes about Men

See all →

The most positive men are the most credulous.

In a free society the state does not administer the affairs of men. It administers justice among men who conduct their own affairs.

No man has any natural authority over his fellow men.

Prejudices are so to speak the mechanical instincts of men: through their prejudices they do without any effort many things they would find too difficult to think through to the point of resolving to…

Men don't and can't live by exchanging articles, but by producing them. They don't live by trade, but by work. Give up that foolish and vain title of Trades Unions and take that of laborers Unions.

Strong women only marry weak men.