On Old Age (2020)

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Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, and writer who attempted to uphold republican principles during the later civil wars that destroyed the Roman Republic. His writings include books of rhetoric, speeches, philosophical and political treatises, and letters. He is remembered in modern times as the greatest Roman orator.

I think, my friends, you are marveling at something really far from difficult. Because for those who do not have within themselves the means of a virtuous and happy life, each era is heavy; and, on the other hand, to those who seek all good of themselves, nothing can appear bad which the laws of nature inevitably impose. To this class belongs above all old age, which all men want to attain and yet reproach for attaining; such is the inconsistency and perversity of Folie!

They say it flew to them faster than they expected. First, who forced them to form an erroneous judgment? For how much more quickly does old age steal from youth than youth from childhood? And again, how much cheaper would old age be for them if they were in their eight hundredth year rather than in their eightieth year? In fact, no amount of time, however long, once it has elapsed can console or soothe a senseless old age.

But bear in mind that throughout this discussion I am praising that old age which has its foundations well established in youth. It follows then, as I once said with the approval of all who heard it, that this old age is miserable which needs to defend itself with words! Wrinkles and gray hair also cannot suddenly grasp the influence; but when the former part of life has been nobly spent, old age at last reaps the fruits of influence.

For if the evils of which they complained were the faults of old age, the same evils would befall me, as well as all the other old men; but I have known many who were of such a nature that they bore their old age without complaining, who were not unhappy because they had been loosed from the chains of passion, and who were not despised by their friends. But when it comes to all these complaints, the blame lies with character, not age. For self-controlled old men, who are neither rude nor ungraceful, find old age endurable; while on the other hand evilness and a wicked temper make every period of life boring...

Undoubtedly, Scipio and Laelius, the most appropriate defenses of old age are the principles and practice of virtues, which, if cultivated at every period of life, produce marvelous fruits at the end of life. a long and active career, not only because you never miss them even at the very end of life - although this is a matter of the utmost importance - but also because it is very pleasant to have the awareness of a life well spent and the memory of many worthy deeds.

But it is our duty, my young friends, to resist old age; make up for its shortcomings by vigilant care; to fight against it as one would fight against the disease; adopting a health regimen; engage in moderate exercise; and to take just enough food and drink to restore our strength and not to overload it. Nor should we give our attention only to the body; much greater care is due to mind and soul; for they too, like the lamps, darken with time, unless we supply them with oil.

For when Caecilius speaks of the "crazy old people of the comic scene", he is thinking of old people characterized by credulity, forgetfulness and recklessness...