But thoughtless ingratitude is the armour of the young; without it, how would they ever get through life? The old wish the young well, but they wish … - Margaret Atwood

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But thoughtless ingratitude is the armour of the young; without it, how would they ever get through life? The old wish the young well, but they wish them ill also: they would like to eat them up, and absorb their vitality, and remain immortal themselves. Without the protection of surliness and levity, all children would be crushed by the past - the past of others, loaded on their shoulders. Selfishness is their saving grace.