Everything Is F*cked

Figure 6.2: An adult is able to eschew his own pleasure for the sake of his
principles.

---

There are plenty of grown-ass children in the world. And there are a lot of
aging  adolescents.  Hell,  there  are  even  some  young  adults  out  there.  That’s
because,  past  a  certain  point,  maturity  has  nothing  to  do  with  age.
23
 What
matters  are  a  person’s  intentions.  The  difference  between  a  child,  an
adolescent, and an adult is not how old they are or what they do, but why they
do something. The child steals the ice cream because it feels good, and he is
oblivious  or  indifferent  to  the  consequences.  The  adolescent  doesn’t  steal
because  he  knows  it  will  create  worse  consequences  in  the  future,  but  his
decision is ultimately a bargain with his future self: I’ll forgo some pleasure
now to prevent greater future pain.
24
But  it’s  only  the  adult  who  doesn’t  steal  for  the  simple  principle  that
stealing is wrong. And to steal, even if she gets away with it, would make her
feel worse about herself.
25