The saying "In youth, we judge by appearance; in middle age, we judge by words" - what can we infer from it?

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There's an old saying: "In youth, look at the eyes; in middle age, look at the mouth." But what insights can we truly gain from examining the eyes and mouth?

Life is often unpredictable, and everyone experiences both good and bad fortune, as well as the cycles of life and death. Our bodies are the vessels of our souls, and they are sources of both our pains and our joys. Because of individuality, everyone's fate is distinct.

However, ancient wisdom suggests a close connection between a person's appearance, behavior, and personality traits. For example, the saying "In youth, look at the eyes; in middle age, look at the mouth" implies that when observing children and young people, we should focus on their eyes, while for middle-aged individuals, the mouth gives more insight. By examining these two aspects, we can uncover a person's hidden qualities.

In Youth, Look at the Eyes

There's a saying: "At three, you can see the little adult; at seven, the real adult emerges." From a very young age, you can foresee a child's future by looking at their eyes.

The eyes are often referred to as the windows to the soul. When you observe children, some have bright, lively eyes, while others have eyes that seem timid and dull. These characteristics can indicate vastly different futures for the children.

A child with bright, lively eyes is likely to be outgoing and quick-witted, whereas a child with dull, timid eyes may exhibit slower thinking and react more sluggishly.

By the time someone is 20, their spirit and personality are generally well-formed, and their eyes can reflect their true self. This is why we say, "In youth, look at the eyes," as they often serve as a lifelong representation of a person.

In Middle Age, Look at the Mouth

Ancient wisdom teaches us, "A true face is revealed through the mouth." History is filled with individuals who achieved success through eloquence and others who failed because of careless words.

While food can be eaten thoughtlessly, words should not be spoken recklessly. Eating the wrong thing might only harm oneself, but saying the wrong thing can hurt others and lead to serious consequences, hence the saying "trouble comes from the mouth." As the ancients noted, "It takes three years to learn to speak, but a lifetime to learn to listen."

In middle age, it's crucial to develop the ability to control one's speech. First, concerning eating habits, which affect health. Gaining weight in middle age is common because many struggle to control their eating habits; most weight gain is due to overeating.

Secondly, understanding how to manage one's words becomes vital. This doesn’t mean speaking less entirely, but rather knowing what should be said and what should not, tailoring one's speech to the appropriate context and audience, rather than speaking indiscriminately like in youth. This is what we call maturity.

Therefore, "In middle age, look at the mouth" is reflective of both a person's physical condition and mental maturity. After the age of 40, success largely hinges on these two aspects.