Love's like the measles - all the worse when it comes late in life

Love's like the measles - all the worse when it comes late in life

Douglas Jerrold, a renowned English playwright and humorist, once famously said, "Love's like the measles - all the worse when it comes late in life." This quote encapsulates the idea that experiencing love later in life can be more challenging and tumultuous than when one is younger. Jerrold's comparison of love to the measles, a contagious and potentially dangerous disease, highlights the potential risks and complications that can arise when one falls in love later in life.

One interpretation of Jerrold's quote is that when love comes late in life, it can be more intense and overwhelming than when one is younger. This may be because older individuals have had more life experiences and emotional baggage that can impact their ability to fully embrace and reciprocate love. Additionally, older individuals may have established routines and ways of thinking that can make it difficult for them to adapt to a new relationship. As a result, love that comes late in life may be more challenging to navigate and may require more effort and patience from both parties involved.

Furthermore, Jerrold's comparison of love to the measles suggests that late-life love can be unpredictable and unexpected, much like a sudden illness. Older individuals may not have been actively seeking love or may have resigned themselves to being alone, only to have love unexpectedly enter their lives. This can be both exhilarating and terrifying, as it forces them to confront their fears and insecurities about starting a new relationship at a later stage in life.

Overall, Douglas Jerrold's quote about love being like the measles when it comes late in life serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges that can arise when one experiences love later in life. It highlights the potential risks and rewards of late-life love, and encourages individuals to approach such relationships with an open mind and a willingness to embrace the unknown.