Meaning: The quote by Wyndham Lewis, "A hundred things are done today in the divine name of Youth, that if they showed their true colors would be seen by rights to belong rather to old age," encapsulates a profound commentary on the modern-day pursuit of youthfulness and the misconceptions surrounding it. Wyndham Lewis, a prominent figure in the modernist movement, was known for his sharp wit and incisive observations on society, art, and culture. This quote, in particular, offers a critical perspective on the way in which certain behaviors and pursuits are often associated with youth but may, in fact, be more closely aligned with the characteristics of old age.

The notion of youth has long been romanticized and idealized in various cultures and societies. Youth is often synonymous with vitality, energy, innovation, and a sense of limitless potential. As a result, there is a pervasive cultural emphasis on maintaining youthfulness, both in terms of physical appearance and lifestyle choices. This pursuit of eternal youth has given rise to a multi-billion-dollar industry encompassing cosmetics, fashion, wellness products, and a range of other goods and services aimed at preserving or recapturing youth.

In the context of Lewis' quote, he challenges the authenticity of certain actions and behaviors that are often carried out under the banner of youth. He suggests that many of these activities, when stripped of their facade, would reveal themselves to be more in line with the qualities and characteristics typically associated with old age. This incisive observation prompts a reevaluation of the values and ideals that are often attributed to youth, highlighting the irony and contradictions inherent in the modern-day pursuit of perpetual youthfulness.

One interpretation of Lewis' quote is that he is drawing attention to the paradox of aging in contemporary society. Despite the celebration and glorification of youth, there is an underlying fear and rejection of the natural process of aging. This fear often drives individuals to engage in behaviors and practices that, rather than embodying the exuberance of youth, reflect a preoccupation with preservation, nostalgia, and a resistance to the passage of time. From cosmetic surgeries and extreme fitness regimens to the consumption of youth-oriented products and media, there is a pervasive tendency to mask or defy the signs of aging, often at the expense of embracing the wisdom and experiences that come with growing older.

Moreover, Lewis' quote can be seen as a critique of the superficiality and shallowness that can underpin the pursuit of youth. In a culture that places great emphasis on appearances, trends, and the allure of youth, there is a risk of neglecting deeper values and qualities that are often associated with maturity and wisdom. By highlighting the disparity between the professed ideals of youth and the actual substance of certain behaviors, Lewis challenges the viewer to consider the authenticity and sincerity of the actions taken in the name of youth.

Ultimately, Wyndham Lewis' quote serves as a thought-provoking reflection on the complexities and contradictions surrounding the contemporary obsession with youth. It encourages a deeper examination of the values, motivations, and societal pressures that drive individuals to align themselves with the concept of youth, as well as the implications of this pursuit on personal identity, social dynamics, and cultural norms. By questioning the true nature of actions performed in the name of youth, Lewis prompts a reevaluation of our perceptions of age, vitality, and the authentic expression of self.