When we hear of being mature, we often think of physical development. However, true maturity is more complex, a challenging, lifelong process that we must consciously strive for. In this collection of maturity quotes, join us in deeply examining its different facets.
In the following paragraphs, we discussed how maturity relates to personal growth, self-awareness, accountability, and discipline. We'll also explore how maturity transcends numerical age and how it is uniquely personal to everyone. Drawing inspiration from authors, philosophers, and motivational speakers, these quotes aim to inspire and motivate us to improve ourselves daily.
Quick links to our selection of maturity quotes:
Maturity, a by-product of personal growth, is evident in every aspect of life. Whether it's self-awareness or taking accountability for mistakes, our response to situations reflects who we are.
Personally, I believe one can prove one's maturity during times of distress or quarrels, for example, when managing money during a financial crisis or accepting a genuine apology.
Consistent work on personal development leads to maturity's evolution. Like you, I am still on this journey. To start this curated collection, let's read the first set of maturity quotes that will remind us of what maturity means.
Related read: Apology Quotes.
"The value of a man is not measured by his money, his status or his possessions. The value of a man lies in his personality, wisdom, creativity, courage, independence and maturity."
"One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others."
"Maturity is when you live your life by your commitments, not by your feelings."
"The willingness to forgive is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity."
"Maturity: Be able to stick with a job until it is finished. Be able to bear an injustice without having to get even. Be able to carry money without spending it. Do your duty without being supervised."
Dr. Tasha Eurich, a workplace psychologist, had a study stating that genuine self-awareness is rarer than we think. The data reveals that only 10%–15% of participants fulfill the self-awareness criteria1.
This shows how being self-aware is a challenge, but when achieved, it becomes an integral pillar of our identity — our preferences, capabilities, and triggers. So, having a dose of it makes us pause, assess the situation objectively, and respond thoughtfully – a mature approach.
After checking the maturity quotes below, watch Eurich's tip on increasing self-awareness in her Ted Talk.
"The first person we must examine is ourselves."
"We don’t mature through age; we mature in awareness."
"Self-knowledge is the first step to maturity."
"This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections."
"The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt."
"Insane people are always sure that they are fine. It is only the sane people who are willing to admit that they are crazy."
Even after examining ourselves, we can still make mistakes. The mature way to handle once we are in such circumstances is by taking accountability. Admitting a fault, especially those that you indirectly cause, is challenging.
However, taking responsibility for these errors is not only an act of honesty but also a testament to maturity.
Improving accountability can begin with acknowledging your actions and their impact. First, be aware of the consequences and own them entirely. Second, openly communicate to learn something from the situation. Here are some mature quotes that will remind us of this message.
"To stand up straight with your shoulders back is to accept the terrible responsibility of life, with eyes wide open."
"It is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of high maturity, to rise to the level of self-criticism."
"Wisdom is really about figuring the long-term consequences of your actions."
The true test of maturity is on situations that we cannot control. The world is strewn with countless obstacles from other people's reactions to societal issues. Part of the maturation process is discerning what is worth fighting.
Once we know our values, we can prioritize where we can spend our energy and time. Overall, maturity is recognizing that some fights, though tempting, do little more than drain valuable resources.
What causes would you fight for no matter what? And what should you start ignoring from now on? Let the maturity quotes open a discussion with yourself.
"Not caring about winning trivial arguments saves so much time and energy."
"Maturity is the ability to reap without apology and not complain when things don't go well."
"Indifference to external events. And a commitment to justice in your own acts."
The ability to look at the grand scheme to comprehend situations beyond our immediate reality is an essential component of mature thinking. With expanded horizons comes a more informed understanding of our place in the world.
The first maturity quote below by Eleanor Roosevelt talks about absolutes. Lately, upon hearing news worldwide, I keep reminding myself there's no such thing as black or white. No race, gender, political belief, or other status is better than the other. There's always the good and the bad, the pros and cons, in everything.
With this kind of thinking, I strive to be less judgemental and more open-minded. What's your take on this insight? Also, reflect on the other mature quotes below and form your own opinions.
"A mature person is one who does not think only in absolutes, who is able to be objective even when deeply stirred emotionally, who has learned that there is both good and bad in all people and in all things, and who walks humbly and deals charitably with the circumstances of life, knowing that in this world no one is all knowing and therefore all of us need both love and charity."
"Show wisdom. Do not jump to conclusions. Take a broader view. Give very practical answers. Take a balanced view. Don't be so dogmatic. Be more tolerant. Look deeper into things. Generate and consider alternatives. Look at things from many angles."
"Maturity consists in not losing the past while fully living in the present with a prudent awareness of the possibilities of the future."
"Lose the mind and gain consciousness and you are mature. Die to the past and be born to the present and you are mature. Maturity is living in the present, fully alert and aware of all the beauty and the splendour of existence."
Even when we choose our own battles, life has still no certainty. When unexpected events happen, it requires us to adapt and reassess constantly. A vital part of maturing is making peace with this reality of life. It's about learning to respond with caution and measured consideration instead of reacting impulsively.
Go over the maturity quotes below, reminding us how accepting life's circumstances leads to being mature.
"Maturity is the ability to live in peace with that which we cannot change."
"The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny."
"Maturity is the capacity to endure uncertainty."
"Maturity is achieved when a person accepts life as full of tension."
"If people wanted the truth, everyone would be self-educated independent thinkers. Most people just want to be validated."
Nurturing any relationship requires maturity, as it forms the foundation for mutual understanding. It can show in the form of respecting individuality and boundaries.
Besides that, a mature relationship enforces open communication and trust, openly voicing out problems whenever there are misunderstandings or conflicts.
Both sides should be mature enough to do their part for these to work. Whether you are a spouse, a sibling, a parent, or a friend, these maturity quotes can help you strengthen your relationships.
"It is believed that marriage kills love. However, this is not a true statement. In the marital status, people begin to learn to express their love without romantic words, using mostly their body language, and this can be called mature love. Mature love requires not just romanticism, but a deep life experience."
"Maturity begins when one lives for others."
"When you care for others, you manifest an inner strength despite any difficulties you face. Your own problems will seem less significant and bothersome to you. Reaching beyond your own problems and taking care of others, you gain confidence, courage and a greater sense of calm."
Developed through continuous effort, discipline indicates maturity, shaping our habits and, ultimately, our character. It is particularly evident in our work ethics. A mature individual recognizes that consistent performance is paramount.
Moreover, discipline should also manifest in our personal development goals. It is necessary to keep us on track, whether exercising or reading a book.
Beat procrastination and instant gratification with the guidance of the maturity quotes below. Also, save our discipline quotes and consistency quotes for more motivational push.
"Maturity is learning how to start when you feel like procrastinating and learning how to listen when you feel like talking."
"Maturity is when you stop making excuses and start making changes."
"Maturity is the ability to postpone gratification."
"Refraining from pleasure cultivates temperance, and it is through temperance that we can abstain from pleasure."
"Doctors won’t make you healthy. Nutritionists won’t make you slim. Teachers won’t make you smart. Gurus won’t make you calm. Mentors won’t make you rich. Trainers won’t make you fit. Ultimately, you have to take responsibility. Save yourself."
Contrary to common belief, adulthood doesn't guarantee maturity. It's also incorrect to dismiss the younger generation as inherently immature. Instead of age, maturity is more accurately reflected in one's mindset and behavior. As discussed in the previous sections, it can involve self-awareness, accountability, and discipline.
Through the mature quotes blow, may we be reminded how our perceptions about someone should extend beyond their age.
"Age is just a number, not a state of mind or a reason for any type of particular behaviour."
"Age is a very high price to pay for maturity."
"It is good to have virtue till old age, it is good to have unshakable faith, it is good to gain wisdom, it is good to do no evil."
"Age is just a number. Maturity is a choice."
"Maturity is only a short break in adolescence."
Authors and poets often write about the nuances of maturity through their works. For instance, Napoleon Hill, renowned for self-help books on personal development and success, explains in his quote how maturity cultivates our bravery to uphold truth.
Through maturity, we find the courage to stay authentic to ourselves and our beliefs despite the opinions of others. Check out other quotes about maturity from C.S Lewis and T.S Elliot below.
"One of the blessings of maturity is that it sometimes brings one greater courage to be truthful, regardless of what those who do not understand may think or say."
"When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."
"The most dangerous thing you can do is to take any one impulse of your own nature and set it up as the thing you ought to follow at all costs."
"Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal."
In today's digital age, demonstrating maturity also extends to our behavior online, particularly on social media platforms. It is beneficial to practice moderation and set boundaries for ourselves, limiting the time spent scrolling through feeds to avoid unnecessary stress and distractions.
Secondly, social media can be a powerful tool for spreading positivity. So, instead of engaging in harmful discourse or spreading negativity, promote positive messages and discussions.
Post something positive today and add one maturity quote from the last set below.
"Maturity has a fragrance. It gives tremendous beauty to the individual."
"If you can learn to be patient in a very impatient society, you win."
"Maturity is to face, and not evade, every fresh crisis that comes."
"The world rewards people who call things the way they are."
"To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity."
"Maturity implies otherness... The art of living is the art of living with."
"The prudent man strives for freedom from pain, not pleasure."
| 1 | Eurich, T. (2023, April 6). What Self-Awareness really is (and how to cultivate it). Harvard Business Review. |
Isabela is a determined millennial passionate about continuously seeking out ways to make an impact. With a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering with honors, Isabela’s research expertise and interest in artistic works, coupled with a creative mindset, offers readers a fresh take on different environmental, social, and personal development topics.
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