What do you think of Churchill's quote....?

Question

"If you are not a liberal at 20, you have no heart. If you are not a conservative at 40, you have no brain."

Answer 1

What the great man said reflects the way most people's way of thinking changes as the years go by. Obviously, all the experiences, the knowledge you pick up, etc. has effects on the way you see things. That said, I hope I can keep something of the young man I was at 20 and not become totally intolerant, unintuitive and can still accept new ideas at the age of 40 and beyond.

Answer 2

The idea of the quote -- that youthful idealism is a good think, but maturity must be temper it with realism and wisdom -- has long been attractive. Perhaps that's why it's been repeated so often and attributed to an admired figure like Churchill...

In fact, it is extremely unlikely Churchill ever said such a thing. (To begin with, he was a member of the "Liberal" party from age 30 to 50 -- though that term meant something different in the early 20th century.)

The original quote apparently goes back to the mid-19th century French monarchist statesman François Guizot (1787-1874), who said:

"Not to be a republican at 20 is proof of want of heart; to be one at 30 is proof of want of head."

For variations on this (with various ages and political labels used) attributed to many other people, see
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/5952/unquote.html?20065

compare:
http://www.msu.edu/user/vanhoose/quotes/0018.html
http://www.ranea.org/watts/archives/2003_08.html

Answer 3

Hi, that quote explains most people. It's human nature at 20 to be liberal and at 40 to be conservative. But it doesn't mean that everyone has to be that way. Exceptions are allowed and normal.

Answer 4

I think he was right. I was a liberal at 20. I am pushin' 40 now and I have definitely switched to the conservative side!

But I think he meant that at 20, people are still very idealistic. They generally haven't seen much of life outside of the lifestyle their parents have afforded them. Most people at 20 have not yet bought their own car, they drive what Mommy and Daddy bought them. Lots of them are still in college and who can argue that college is a cocoon that shields kids from what life is really like.

By the time you get close to 40, you are making your own way, paying your own bills, you likely have kids and your values have shifted from being self centered to being centered around God, family, career-usually in that order. You are paying a car payment or two, rent or a mortgage. Your worries become more domestic and yet more worldly-you are thinking less of the future as it pertains to you and more about the future your kids will inherit. There is less focus on your dreams and more focus on theirs. Your perspective is changed.

Ole Winston was pretty darned smart if'n you ask me.

Answer 5

I like it, and I certainly think it makes alot of sense. Many of my friends from college who were quite liberal in there 20's are now quite conservative. I've always thought that the best way to turn a college student into a republican is to give him/her a good paying job. I also have a lot of respect for Chruchhill, he was an amazing war time leader and motivator. My personal favorite quote of his is.. "Never, never, never give up!"

Answer 6

I think Churchill had a pretty good understanding of the personality, issues, and ideals of the youth of the 19th and 20th century.

Answer 7

im not answering your qs i want to give you a laugh on the "liers" thanx for the correction and thanx for NOT using a dictionary on my question!! have a good day..~~NC