"A man's age is something impressive,
it sums up his life:
maturity reached slowly and against many obstacles,
illnesses cured, griefs and despairs overcome,
and unconscious risks taken;
maturity formed through so many desires, hopes, regrets, forgotten things, loves.
A man's age represents a fine cargo of experiences and memories."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wartime Writings 1939-1944,
translated from French by Norah Purcell