You have lived since then

Posted by Ruth Julius on February 22, 2005

In Reply to: You have lived since then posted by Serge Liberman on February 22, 2005

: : I was wondering if this expression means something like: It's history by now?

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: Ruth Julius

: My understanding of the sentence is that: one you were young, you were raw, you were inexperienced and made all sorts of mistakes then;

: But "you have lived since then": you are older, you have seen, read and done many things, you have come to know an enormous number of people who have contributed to your "living" (i.e. to your experiencing) as a consequence of which you have acquired experience and more sober wisdom, you have gained in maturity, your approach to situations is different from it would have been long ago, and so on.

: If it can be seen as "it's history by now", as you ask, Ruth, I would have to add that it is "applied or active history", "living" in this context meaning history in the broadest sense (personal, family, education, national, and all manner of allegiances you may have or have had), that has made you what you are.

: W'd love to get feedback.

: Regards,

: Serge.
Dear Serge liberman,
Thank you very much for your help. I'm not sure whether the interpretation you gave could be appropriate in the specific context I'm dealing with (The picture of Dorian Gray/Oscar Wilde Chapter 2), where Dorian says: "I should have objected very strongly this morning, Lord Henry."
and the answer is: "Ah! this morning! You have lived since then." Anyway, your answer gave me new ideas to think about.

All the best,

Ruth