So you did it. You actually gave up a business you spent eight years building.

的确。你最终放弃了，你苦心经营8年的事业。

You actually gave up a business you spent eight years building.

你最终放弃了 你苦心经营8年的事业。

He told me a man of his age CAN'T give up a business he's been in practically all his life, and just go groping about for something that might never turn up at all.

他告诉我，他这个年纪的人不能放弃他几乎一生都在从事的事业， 而只是去摸索一些可能永远不会出现的东西。