The advice of the elders to young men is very apt to be as unreal as a list of the hundred best books

The advice of the elders to young men is very apt to be as unreal as a list of the hundred best books

Oliver Wendell Holmes, a renowned American poet, essayist, and physician, once famously remarked that the advice of elders to young men is often as unreal as a list of the hundred best books. This statement encapsulates the idea that the guidance offered by older generations may not always be practical or relevant to the experiences and challenges faced by the youth of today.

In Holmes' time, societal norms and expectations were vastly different from those of the present day. The advice given by elders was often rooted in traditional values and beliefs that may no longer hold true in the modern world. As such, young men may find it difficult to relate to or apply the advice they receive from their elders to their own lives.

Furthermore, the rapid pace of technological advancement and social change has created a generation gap between older and younger individuals. The experiences and perspectives of older generations may not always align with those of the youth, leading to a disconnect in communication and understanding. This can result in the advice given by elders being perceived as outdated or irrelevant by young men.

Additionally, the concept of a list of the hundred best books can be seen as a metaphor for the subjective nature of advice. Just as different individuals have varying tastes in literature, the advice that resonates with one person may not necessarily be applicable to another. What works for one individual may not work for another, making it important for young men to critically evaluate the advice they receive and determine its relevance to their own lives.