Dead At Age 20

The following quotation appears in the Selected Quotes section at the end of Lesson III: Goals and Dreams:

“Most men are dead at age 20 and 

wait until age 70 to be buried.”

-Benjamin Franklin

Few statements raise more eyebrows—and questions—than this particular quote. What on earth was dear old Ben Franklin talking about? Perhaps getting struck by lightning wasn't such a very good idea after all? Fortunately for the reader, however, the context of the lesson, which the quote has been placed in, should provide some valuable insight.

In the aforementioned quote, Benjamin Franklin is referring to nothing less than the aspirations of an individual. Dreams, in fact, give life and vitality to a person. Without an objective to direct one's life toward, a person is essentially dead, that is, they are seeking nothing beyond their own survival. Sure, they are alive, in the sense they are physically living and breathing, but the true fire and spark of life has been extinguished from their eyes.

When people are young, they often have great dreams. But, unfortunately for most, few dreams survive the onslaught of young adulthood—a time when many “learn” to be more “realistic” about things. As a result, the majority of people abandon their dreams (die at age 20) for more plausible alternatives, unconsciously resolving to wander aimlessly through life until they physically die (buried at age 70). I use the word unconsciously because no one knowingly decides to “wander aimlessly” through life.

Such mental states are merely the result of a lack of purpose and direction.