Life is half spent before we know what it is.
Meaning: We waste years discovering our genuine desires and values, leaving limited time to pursue them meaningfully.
Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.
Translations
- French: La vie est moitié usée avant qu’on ne sache ce qu’est la vie (literally: Life is half spent before one knows what life is)
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