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The Sweetest of Your Life in (Oh, Youth, Consider It Well,) / Is Nothing But Fleeting Joy and Vain Child's Play. / Yet the Least Care Clings to These Pleasures; / Seek Through Reason and Virtue Early Great Deeds
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The Sweetest of Your Life in (Oh, Youth, Consider It Well,) / Is Nothing But Fleeting Joy and Vain Child's Play. / Yet the Least Care Clings to These Pleasures; / Seek Through Reason and Virtue Early Great Deeds

1806 - 1830 · letterpress printing; houtsnede; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

Sheet with 16 depictions of children's games, such as hoop rolling, playing with dolls, and blowing bubbles. Under each image a four-line verse. Numbered top right: No. 117.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Subjects
printpopular print(playing with) dolls(flying a) kite
Credit lineHet zoetst uws levens in (ô jeugd beschouw 't maar wel,) / Niets dan een losse vreugd, en ydel kinderspel. / De minste zorg nochthans hecht zich aan die vermaaken; / Zoek door verstand en deugd vroegt. 1806 - 1830. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
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Each does what he pleases in shaping his taste, / One practices in work, and the other in pleasure.Each does what he pleases in shaping his taste, / One practices in work, and the other in pleasure. Choose, oh children! from the images below, / Your taste, or perhaps they pleased your choice and sensesChoose, oh children! from the images below, / Your taste, or perhaps they pleased your choice and senses See here what young boys are playing, / Their practice will not bore you; / Follow youth in all their activities, / But let the crime remain outsideSee here what young boys are playing, / Their practice will not bore you; / Follow youth in all their activities, / But let the crime remain outside All that you see in this print, O youth! / Is what you surely delight in yourself. / Only to make the nose-piece ridiculous, / Cheer your spirit with these strange tricksAll that you see in this print, O youth! / Is what you surely delight in yourself. / Only to make the nose-piece ridiculous, / Cheer your spirit with these strange tricks Behold in this print collection various sketches of splendor, / They are given to you, O youth! / Which are instructive and entertaining; / For pastime: But distinguish being from appearanceBehold in this print collection various sketches of splendor, / They are given to you, O youth! / Which are instructive and entertaining; / For pastime: But distinguish being from appearance Jan Klaassen's witty deeds, / See, for your amusement, in print [(...)]Jan Klaassen's witty deeds, / See, for your amusement, in print [(...)]