Franklin points to a common contradiction in human attitudes towards ageing. Many people want a long life, yet may resist the physical changes, limitations and social associations that come with becoming old. The desire is therefore for the additional years without all the consequences that naturally accompany them.

The saying highlights the tension between wanting longevity and accepting ageing as the means by which longevity is reached. It can also be read as an observation about the value placed on youth: people may welcome the prospect of more time while being reluctant to identify themselves as old. Franklin’s concise contrast does not dismiss the difficulties of ageing, but draws attention to the inconsistency of wishing for a long life while rejecting one of its unavoidable conditions. The broader point concerns acceptance of change and the limits of human wishes when confronted with the natural course of life.