So remove vexation from your heart, and ward off calamity from your flesh; for youth and the prime of life are vanity.”​—Eccl. 11:9, 10.

By avoiding a reckless, debauched way of life, youths can guard themselves against all kinds of frustrations and injury.

Solomon, by inspiration, writes that “youth and the prime of life are vanity.” Why so? For one thing, a person obviously does not remain young forever. Likewise, the joys and advantages of youthful strength and vigor are of uncertain duration. Even young people get sick and die. The youth who ignores this may fail to make wise use of what he has, dissipating his physical energies and capabilities in a way of life that can make his later adult years more difficult.