Reading some remarks of the German writer Goethe in his old age discussing himself as a young writer. He says (I paraphrase) that what makes a writer unique is not just his or her good things, but also their limitations -- their limitations are part of the shape of their character, like the shape of a country's borders. What makes a young writer interesting is the interplay between their aspirations and expectations, and the ignorance they have about life. The older reader knows more about some things, but is amused and challenged by the mix of potential newness as a perspective on the old world, and the ironic knowledge that some things (like growing older, not necessarily wiser) are going to happen whatever the young artist thinks.

He goes on to suggest that in some ways the limitations of the older writer begin to match more closely the boundaries of all life itself, rather than just the boundaries of human life -- and that is why the greatest writers and artists (Yeats, Titian, etc.) deepen into something akin to the voice of God. But he does not make the point that he himself has changed limitations and aspirations, and that his own character as an older writer is different, and yet still unique. He is, as we all are, blind to the strengths and limits of his current, later self: but is pretty good at diagnosing himself, when young.