The phrase «Once a man, twice a child» does not appear in the Bible. This saying is a proverbial expression and is not found in any biblical text.
A related biblical concept might be found in Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, which poetically describes the decline of human strength and vitality with old age, symbolically returning a person to a dependent state similar to childhood. This passage encourages remembrance of the Creator in youth before the difficult days come.
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, I find no pleasure in them” 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; 3 when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; 4 when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets. Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well, 7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7
What should we understand «Once a man, twice a child» according to the Bible?
The phrase «Once a man, twice a child» beautifully captures a simple truth about life that we all experience. Although this exact phrase isn’t found in the Bible, its meaning deeply resonates with the truths that Scripture does reveal about our human journey.
Let’s reflect on what this means. The journey of life starts when we are born as helpless infants, completely reliant on others for our survival and care. As we grow into adults, we gain strength, independence, and maturity. Yet, as the years continue, many of us will find ourselves again dependent on others, much like in our childhood, as our strength and vitality naturally decline.
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 provides a vivid and poetic description of this cycle. This passage encourages us to remember our Creator in the days of our youth—when our energy is abundant and our spirit is bold. This is because a time will come, often in our older years, when life’s pleasures dim and our physical abilities wane.
The wise words of Ecclesiastes paint a picture of aging where people gradually lose their youthful vigor. The keepers of the house (our arms and hands) tremble, the strong men (our legs) stoop, and the grinders (our teeth) cease because they are few. The look through the windows (our eyes) grows dim. All these changes are metaphors describing how our bodies age and how, over time, we may find ourselves feeling more vulnerable and dependent, just as we were when we were children.
In this reflection, we’re reminded of the importance of grounding our lives in faith and remembrance of God from our youth, because it is He who sustains us through every stage of life—from strength to fragility. As the passage closes, it reminds us that eventually, «the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.» This is a call to acknowledge that every phase of our life, whether marked by independence or dependence, is under God’s sovereign care.
In embracing this, you’re encouraged to live a life that honors God from your earliest days. This perspective isn’t just about looking ahead to the challenges of old age, but about living each day with a sense of purpose and reverence towards God, who guides us through every season of life.