Crassus—allofthemlearnedjuris—consultsinactivepractice，whoseknowledgeoftheirprofessionwasmaintainedtotheirlastbreath。I
amafraidanoratordoeslosevigourbyoldage，forhisartisnotamatteroftheintellectalone，butoflungsandbodilystrength。
Thoughasarulethatmusicalringinthevoiceevengainsinbrillianceinacertainwayasonegrowsold—certainlyIhavenotyetlostit，andyouseemyyears。Yetafterallthestyleofspeechsuitabletoanoldmanisthequietandunemotional，anditoftenhappensthatthechastenedandcalmdeliveryofanoldmaneloquentsecuresahearing。Ifyoucannotattaintothatyourself，youmightstillinstructaScipioandaLaelius。Forwhatismorecharmingthanoldagesurroundedbytheenthusiasmofyouth？
Shallwenotallowoldageeventhestrengthtoteachtheyoung，totrainandequipthemforallthedutiesoflife？Andwhatcanbeanobleremployment？Formypart，IusedtothinkPubliusandGnaeusScipioandyourtwograndfathers，L。AemiliusandP。
Africanus，fortunatemenwhenIsawthemwithacompanyofyoungnoblesaboutthem。Norshouldwethinkanyteachersofthefineartsotherwisethanhappy，howevermuchtheirbodilyforcesmayhavedecayedandfailed。Andyetthatsamefailureofthebodilyforcesismoreoftenbroughtaboutbythevicesofyouththanofoldage；foradissoluteandintemperateyouthhandsdownthebodytooldageinaworn—outstate。Xenophon’sCyrus，forinstance，inhisdiscoursedeliveredonhisdeath—bedandataveryadvancedage，saysthatheneverperceivedhisoldagetohavebecomeweakerthanhisyouthhadbeen。IrememberasaboyLuciusMetellus，whohavingbeencreatedPontifexMaximusfouryearsafterhissecondconsul—ship，heldthatofficetwenty—twoyears，enjoyingsuchexcellentstrengthofbodyintheverylasthoursofhislifeasnottomisshisyouth。Ineednotspeakofmyself；thoughthatindeedisanoldman’swayandisgenerallyallowedtomytimeoflife。Don’tyouseeinHomerhowfrequentlyNestortalksofhisowngoodqualities？Forhewaslivingthroughathirdgeneration；norhadheanyreasontofearthatuponsayingwhatwastrueabouthimselfheshouldappeareitherovervainortalkative。For，asHomersays，\"fromhislipsfloweddiscoursesweeterthanhoney，\"forwhichsweetbreathhewantednobodilystrength。Andyet，afterall，thefamousleaderoftheGreeksnowherewishestohavetenmenlikeAjax，butlikeNestor：ifhecouldgetthem，hefeelsnodoubtofTroyshortlyfalling。
10。Buttoreturntomyowncase：Iaminmyeighty—fourthyear。I
couldwishthatIhadbeenabletomakethesameboastasCyrus；
but，afterall，Icansaythis：IamnotindeedasvigorousasIwasasaprivatesoldierinthePunicwar，orasquaestorinthesamewar，orasconsulinSpain，andfouryearslaterwhenasamilitarytribuneItookpartintheengagementatThermopylaeundertheconsulManiusAciliusGlabrio；butyet，asyousee，oldagehasnotentirelydestroyedmymuscles，hasnotquitebroughtmetotheground。TheSenate—housedoesnotfindallmyvigourgone，northerostra，normyfriends，normyclients，normyforeignguests。
ForIhavenevergivenintothatancientandmuch—praisedproverb：
OldwhenyoungIsoldforlong。
Formyself，Ihadratherbeanoldmanasomewhatshortertimethananoldman_before_mytime。Accordingly，nooneuptothepresenthaswishedtoseeme，towhomIhavebeendeniedasengaged。But，itmaybesaid，Ihavelessstrengththaneitherofyou。NeitherhaveyouthestrengthofthecenturionT。Pontius：ishethemoreeminentmanonthataccount？Lettherebeonlyaproperhusbandingofstrength，andleteachmanproportionhiseffortstohispowers。Suchanonewillassuredlynotbepossessedwithanygreatregretforhislossofstrength。AtOlympiaMiloissaidtohavesteppedintothecoursecarryingaliveoxonhisshoulders。Whichthenofthetwowouldyouprefertohavegiventoyou—bodilystrengthlikethat，orintellectualstrengthlikethatofPythagoras？Infine，enjoythatblessingwhenyouhaveit；whenitisgone，don’twishitback—unlesswearetothinkthatyoungmenshouldwishtheirchildhoodback，andthosesomewhatoldertheiryouth!Thecourseoflifeisfixed，andnatureadmitsofitsbeingrunbutinoneway，andonlyonce；andtoeachpartofourlifethereissomethingspeciallyseasonable；sothatthefeeblenessofchildren，aswellasthehighspiritofyouth，thesobernessofmatureryears，andtheripewisdomofoldage—allhaveacertainnaturaladvantagewhichshouldbesecuredinitsproperseason。I
thinkyouareinformed，Scipio，whatyourgrandfather’sforeignfriendMasinissadoestothisday，thoughninetyyearsold。Whenhehasoncebegunajourneyonfoothedoesnotmounthishorseatall；whenonhorsebackhenevergetsoffhishorse。Bynorainorcoldcanhebeinducedtocoverhishead。Hisbodyisabsolutelyfreefromunhealthyhumours，andsohestillperformsallthedutiesandfunctionsofaking。Activeexercise，therefore，andtemperancecanpreservesomepartofone’sformerstrengtheveninoldage。
11。Bodilystrengthiswantingtooldage；butneitherisbodilystrengthdemandedfromoldmen。Therefore，bothbylawandcustom，menofmytimeoflifeareexemptfromthosedutieswhichcannotbesupportedwithoutbodilystrength。Accordinglynotonlyarewenotforcedtodowhatwecannotdo；wearenotevenobligedtodoasmuchaswecan。But，itwillbesaid，manyoldmenaresofeeblethattheycannotperformanydutyinlifeofanysortorkind。Thatisnotaweaknesstobesetdownaspeculiarto61dage：
itisonesharedbyillhealth。HowfeeblewasthesonofP。
Africanus，whoadoptedyou!Whatweakhealthhehad，orrathernohealthatall!Ifthathadnotbeenthecase，weshouldhavehadinhimasecondbrilliantlightinthepoliticalhorizon；forhehadaddedawidercultivationtohisfather’sgreatnessofspirit。Whatwonder，then，thatoldmenareeventuallyfeeble，whenevenyoungmencannotescapeit？MydearLaeliusandScipio，wemuststandupagainstoldageandmakeupforitsdrawbacksbytakingpains。
Wemustfightitasweshouldanillness。Wemustlookafterourhealth，usemoderateexercise，takejustenoughfoodanddrinktorecruit，butnottooverload，ourstrength。Norisitthebodyalonethatmustbesupported，buttheintellectandsoulmuchmore。Fortheyarelikelamps：unlessyoufeedthemwithoil，theytoogooutfromoldage。Again，thebodyisapttogetgrossfromexercise；buttheintellectbecomesnimblerbyexercisingitself。ForwhatCaeciliusmeansby\"olddotardsofthecomicstage\"arethecredulous，theforgetful，andtheslipshod。Thesearefaultsthatdonotattachtooldageassuch，buttoasluggish，spiritless，andsleepyoldage。Youngmenaremorefrequentlywantonanddissolutethanoldmen；butyet，asitisnotallyoungmenthatareso，butthebadsetamongthem，evensosenilefolly—usuallycalledimbecility—appliestooldmenofunsoundcharacter，nottoall。
Appiusgovernedfoursturdysons，fivedaughters，thatgreatestablishment，andallthoseclients，thoughhewasbotholdandblind。Forhekepthismindatfullstretchlikeahow，andnevergaveintooldagebygrowingslack。Hemaintainednotmerelyaninfluence，butanabsolutecommandoverhisfamily：hisslavesfearedhim，hissonswereinaweofhim，alllovedhim。Inthatfamily，indeed，ancestralcustomanddisciplinewereinfullvigour。
Thefactisthatoldageisrespectablejustaslongasitassertsitself，maintainsitsproperrights，andisnotenslavedtoanyone。
ForasIadmireayoungmanwhohassomethingoftheoldmaninhim，sodoIanoldonewhohassomethingofayoungman。Themanwhoaimsatthismaypossiblybecomeoldinbody—inmindheneverwill。Iamnowengagedincomposingtheseventhbookofmy_Origins_。Icollectalltherecordsofantiquity。ThespeechesdeliveredinallthecelebratedcaseswhichIhavedefendedIamatthisparticulartimegettingintoshapeforpublication。Iamwritingtreatisesonaugural，pontifical，andcivillaw。Iam，besides，studyinghardatGreek，andafterthemannerofthePythagoreans—tokeepmymemoryinworkingorder—IrepeatintheeveningwhateverIhavesaid，heard，ordoneinthecourseofeachday。Thesearetheexercisesoftheintellect，thesethetraininggroundsofthemind：whileIsweatandlabourontheseIdon’tmuchfeelthelossofbodilystrength。Iappearincourtformyfriends；IfrequentlyattendtheSenateandbringmotionsbeforeitonmyownresponsibility，preparedafterdeepandlongreflection。
AndtheseIsupportbymyintellectual，notmybodilyforces。AndifIwerenotstrongenoughtodothesethings，yetIshouldenjoymysofa—imaginingtheveryoperationswhichIwasnowunabletoperform。Butwhatmakesmecapableofdoingthisismypastlife。
Foramanwhoisalwayslivinginthemidstofthesestudiesandlaboursdoesnotperceivewhenoldagecreepsuponhim。Thus，byslowandimperceptibledegreeslifedrawstoitsend。Thereisnosuddenbreakage；itjustslowlygoesout。
12。ThethirdchargeagainstoldageisthatitLACKSSENSUAL
PLEASURES。Whatasplendidservicedoesoldagerender，ifittakesfromusthegreatestblotofyouth!Listen，mydearyoungfriends，toaspeechofArchytasofTarentum，amongthegreatestandmostillustriousofmen，whichwasputintomyhandswhenasayoungmanIwasatTarentumwithQ。Maximus。\"Nomoredeadlycursethansensualpleasurehasbeeninflictedonmankindbynature，togratifywhichourwantonappetitesarerousedbeyondallprudenceorrestraint。Itisafruitfulsourceoftreasons，revolutions，secretcommunicationswiththeenemy。Infact，thereisnocrime，noevildeed，towhichtheappetiteforsensualpleasuresdoesnotimpelus。Fornicationsandadulteries，andeveryabominationofthatkind，arebroughtaboutbytheenticementsofpleasureandbythemalone。IntellectisthebestgiftofnatureorGod：tothisdivinegiftandendowmentthereisnothingsoinimicalaspleasure。Forwhenappetiteisourmaster，thereisnoplaceforself—control；norwherepleasurereignssupremecanvirtueholditsground。Toseethismorevividly，imagineamanexcitedtothehighestconceivablepitchofsensualpleasure。Itcanbedoubtfultonoonethatsuchaperson，solongasheisundertheinfluenceofsuchexcitationofthesenses，willbeunabletousetoanypurposeeitherintellect，reason，orthought。
Thereforenothingcanbesoexecrableandsofatalaspleasure；
since，whenmorethanordinarilyviolentandlasting，itdarkensallthelightofthesoul。\"
ThesewerethewordsaddressedbyArchytastotheSamniteCaiusPontius，fatherofthemanbywhomtheconsulsSpuriusPostumiusandTitusVeturiuswerebeateninthebattleofCaudium。MyfriendNearchusofTarentum，whohadremainedloyaltoRome，toldmethathehadheardthemrepeatedbysomeoldmen；andthatPlatotheAthenianwaspresent，whovisitedTarentum，Ifind，intheconsulshipofL。CamillusandAppiusClaudius。
Whatisthepointofallthis？Itistoshowyouthat，ifwewereunabletoscornpleasurebytheaidofreasonandphilosophy，weoughttohavebeenverygratefultooldagefordeprivingusofallinclinationforthatwhichitwaswrongtodo。Forpleasurehindersthought，isafoetoreason，and，sotospeak，blindstheeyesofthemind。Itis，moreover，entirelyalientovirtue。IwassorrytohavetoexpelLucius，brotherofthegallantTitusFlamininus，fromtheSenatesevenyearsafterhisconsulship；butIthoughtitimperativetoaffixastigmaonanactofgrosssensuality。ForwhenhewasinGaulasconsul，hehadyieldedtotheentreatiesofhisparamouratadinner—partytobeheadamanwhohappenedtobeinprisoncondemnedonacapitalcharge。WhenhisbrotherTituswasCensor，whoprecededme，heescaped；butIandFlaccuscouldnotcountenanceanactofsuchcriminalandabandonedlust，especiallyas，besidesthepersonaldishonour，itbroughtdisgraceontheGovernment。
13。Ihaveoftenbeentoldbymenolderthanmyself，whosaidthattheyhadhearditasboysfromoldmen，thatGaiusFabriciuswasinthehabitofexpressingastonishmentathavingheard，whenenvoyattheheadquartersofkingPyrrhus，fromtheThessalianCineas，thattherewasamanofAthenswhoprofessedtobea\"philosopher，\"andaffirmedthateverythingwedidwastobereferredtopleasure。WhenhetoldthistoManiusCuriusandPubliusDecius，theyusedtoremarkthattheywishedthattheSamnitesandPyrrhushimselfwouldholdthesameopinion。Itwouldbemucheasiertoconquerthem，iftheyhadoncegiventhemselvesovertosensualindulgences。ManiusCuriushadbeenintimatewithP。Decius，whofouryearsbeforetheformer’sconsulshiphaddevotedhimselftodeathfortheRepublic。BothFabriciusandCoruncaniusknewhimalso，andfromtheexperienceoftheirownlives，aswellasfromtheactionofP。
Decius，theywereofopinionthattheredidexistsomethingintrinsicallynobleandgreat，whichwassoughtforitsownsake，andatwhichallthebestmenaimed，tothecontemptandneglectofpleasure。WhythendoIspendsomanywordsonthesubjectofpleasure？Why，because，farfrombeingachargeagainstoldage，thatitdoesnotmuchfeelthewantofanypleasures，itisitshighestpraise。
But，youwillsay，itisdeprivedofthepleasuresofthetable，theheapedupboard，therapidpassingofthewine—cup。Well，then，itisalsofreefromheadache，disordereddigestion，brokensleep。Butifwemustgrantpleasuresomething，sincewedonotfinditeasytoresistitscharms，—forPlato，withhappyinspiration，callspleasure\"vice’sbait，\"becauseofcoursemenarecaughtbyitasfishbyahook，—yet，althougholdagehastoabstainfromextravagantbanquets，itisstillcapableofenjoyingmodestfestivities。AsaboyIoftenusedtoseeGaiusDuiliusthesonofMarcus，thenanoldmali，returningfromadinner—party。Hethoroughlyenjoyedthefrequentuseoftorchandflute—player，distinctionswhichhehadassumedthoughunprecedentedinthecaseofaprivateperson。Itwastheprivilegeofhisglory。Butwhymentionothers？Iwillcomebacktomyowncase。Tobeginwith，I
havealwaysremainedamemberofa\"club\"—clubs，youknow，wereestablishedinmyquaestorshiponthereceptionoftheMagnaMaterfromIda。SoIusedtodineattheirfeastwiththemembersofmyclub—onthewholewithmoderation，thoughtherewasacertainwarmthoftemperamentnaturaltomytimeoflife；butasthatadvancesthereisadailydecreaseofallexcitement。NorwasI，infact，everwonttomeasuremyenjoymentevenofthesebanquetsbythephysicalpleasurestheygavemorethanbythegatheringandconversationoffriends。Foritwasagoodideaofourancestorstostylethepresenceofguestsatadinner—table—seeingthatitimpliedacommunityofenjoyment—a_convivium_，\"alivingtogether。\"ItisabettertermthantheGreekwordswhichmean\"adrinkingtogether，\"or，\"aneatingtogether。\"Fortheywouldseemtogivethepreferencetowhatisreallytheleastimportantpartofit。
14。Formyself，owingtothepleasureItakeinconversation，I
enjoyevenbanquetsthatbeginearlyintheafternoon，andnotonlyincompanywithmycontemporaries—ofwhomveryfewsurvive—butalsowithmenofyourageandwithyourselves。Iamthankfultooldage，whichhasincreasedmyavidityforconversation，whileithasremovedthatforeatinganddrinking。
Butifanyonedoesenjoythese—nottoseemtohaveproclaimedwaragainstallpleasurewithoutexception，whichisperhapsafeelinginspiredbynature—Ifailtoperceiveevenintheseverypleasuresthatoldageisentirelywithoutthepowerofappreciation。Formyself，Itakedelightevenintheold—fashionedappointmentofmasterofthefeast；andinthearrangementoftheconversation，whichaccordingtoancestralcustomisbegunfromthelastplaceontheleft—handcouchwhenthewineisbroughtin；asalsointhecupswhich，asinXenophon’sbanquet，aresmallandfilledbydriblets；andinthecontrivanceforcoolinginsummer，andforwarminghythewintersunorwinterfire。ThesethingsIkeepupevenamongmySabinecountrymen，andeverydayhaveafulldinner—partyofneighbours，whichweprolongasfarintothenightaswecanwithvariedconversation。
Butyoumayurge—thereisnotthesametinglingsensationofpleasureinoldmen。Nodoubt；butneitherdotheymissitsomuch。Fornothinggivesyouuneasinesswhichyoudonotmiss。
ThatwasafineanswerofSophoclestoamanwhoaskedhim，wheninextremeoldage，whetherhewasstillalover。\"Heavenforbid!\"hereplied；\"Iwasonlytoogladtoescapefromthat，asthoughfromaboorishandinsanemaster。\"Tomenindeedwhoarekeenaftersuchthingsitmaypossiblyappeardisagreeableanduncomfortabletobewithoutthem；buttojadedappetitesitispleasantertolackthantoenjoy。However，hecannotbesaidtolackwhodoesnotwant：mycontentionisthatnottowantisthepleasanterthing。
Butevengrantingthatyouthenjoysthesepleasureswithmorezest；inthefirstplace，theyareinsignificantthingstoenjoy，asI
havesaid；andit]thesecondplace，suchasageisnotentirelywithout，ifitdoesnotpossesstheminprofusion。JustasamangetsgreaterpleasurefromAmbiviusTurpioifseatedinthefrontrowatthetheatrethanifhewasinthelast，yet，afterall，themaninthelastrowdoesgetpleasure；soyouth，becauseitlooksatpleasuresatcloserquarters，perhapsenjoysitselfmore，yetevenoldage，lookingatthemfromadistance，doesenjoyitselfwellenough。Why，whatblessingsarethese—thatthesoul，havingserveditstime，sotospeak，inthecampaignsofdesireandambition，rivalryandhatred，andallthepassions，shouldliveinitsownthoughts，and，astheexpressiongoes，shoulddwellapart!
Indeed，ifithasinstoreanyofwhatImaycallthefoodofstudyandphilosophy，nothingcanbepleasanterthananoldageofleisure。WewerewitnessestoC。Gallus—afriendofyourfather’s，Scipio—intenttothedayofhisdeathonmappingouttheskyandland。Howoftendidthelightsurprisehimwhilestillworkingoutaproblembegunduringthenight!Howoftendidnightfindhimbusyonwhathehadbegunatdawn!Howhedelightedinpredictingforussolarandlunareclipseslongbeforetheyoccurred!Oragaininstudiesofalighternature，thoughstillrequiringkeennessofintellect，whatpleasureNaeviustookinhis_PunicWar_!Plautusinhis_Truculentus_and_Pseudolus_!I
evensawLiviusAndronicus，who，havingproducedaplaysixyearsbeforeIwasborn—intheconsulshipofCentoandTuditanus—livedtillIhadbecomeayoungman。WhyspeakofPubliusLiciniusCrassus’sdevotiontopontificalandcivillaw，orofthePubliusScipioofthepresenttime，whowithintheselastfewdayshasbeencreatedPontifexMaximus？AndyetIhaveseenallwhomIhavementionedardentinthesepursuitswhenoldmen。
ThenthereisMarcusCethegus，whomEnniusjustlycalled\"Persuasion’sMarrow\"—withwhatenthusiasmdidweseehimexerthimselfinoratoryevenwhenquiteold!Whatpleasuresarethere’nfeasts，games，ormistressescomparabletopleasuressuchasthese？Andtheyarealltastes，too，connectedwithlearning，whichinmenofsenseandgoodeducationgrowwiththeirgrowth。
ItisindeedanhonourablesentimentwhichSolonexpressesinaversewhichIhavequotedbefore—thathegrewoldlearningmanyafreshlessoneveryday。Thanthatintellectualpleasurenonecertainlycanbegreater。
15。Icomenowtothepleasuresofthefarmer，inwhich[takeamazingdelight。Thesearenothinderedbyanyextentofoldage，andseemtometoapproachnearestto’theidealwiseman’slife。
Forhehastodealwiththeearth，whichneverrefusesitsobedience，noreverreturnswhatithasreceivedwithoutusury；
sometimes，indeed，withless，butgenerallywithgreaterinterest。
Formypart，however。itisnotmerelythethingproduced，buttheearth’sownforceandnaturalproductivenessthatdelightme。Forreceivedinitsbosomtheseedscatteredbroadcastuponit，softenedandbrokenup，shefirstkeepsitconcealedtherein（hencetheharrowingwhichaccomplishesthisgetsitsnamefromawordmeaning\"tohide\"）；next，whenithasbeenwarmedbyherheatandclosepressure，shesplitsitopenanddrawsfromitthegreeneryoftheblade。This，supportedbythefibresoftheroot，littlebylittlegrowsup，andhelduprightbyitsjointedstalkisenclosedinsheaths，asbeingstillimmature。Whenithasemergedfromthemitproducesanearofcornarrangedinorder，andisdefendedagainstthepeckingofthesmallerbirdsbyaregularpalisadeofspikes。
NeedImentionthestarting，planting，andgrowthofvines？Icanneverhavetoomuchofthispleasure—toletyouintothesecretofwhatgivesmyoldagereposeandamusement。ForIsaynothinghereofthenaturalforcewhichallthingspropagatedfromtheearthpossess—theearthwhichfromthattinygraininafig，orthegrape—stoneinagrape，orthemostminuteseedsoftheothercerealsandplants，producessuchhugetrunksandboughs。
Mallet—shoots，slips，cuttings，quicksets，layers—aretheynotenoughtofillanyonewithdelightandastonishment？Thevinebynatureisapttofall，andunlesssupporteddropsdowntotheearth；yetinordertokeepitselfuprightitembraceswhateveritreacheswithitstendrilsasthoughtheywerehands。Thenasitcreepson，spreadingitselfinintricateandwildprofusion，thedresser’sartprunesitwiththeknifeandpreventsitgrowingaforestofshootsandexpandingtoexcessineverydirection。AccordinglyatthebeginningofspringintheshootswhichhavebeenleftthereprotrudesateachofthejointswhatistermedanFromthisthegrapeemergesandshowsitself；which，swollenbythejuiceoftheearthandtheheatofthesun，isatfirstverybittertothetaste，butafterwardsgrowssweetasitmatures；andbeingcoveredwithtendrilsisneverwithoutamoderatewarmth，andyetisabletowardoffthefieryheatofthesun。Cananythingbericherinproductormorebeautifultocontemplate？Itisnotitsutilityonly，asIsaidbefore，thatcharmsme，butthemethodofitscultivationandthenaturalprocessofitsgrowth：therowsofuprights，thecross—piecesforthetopsoftheplants，thetyingupofthevinesandtheirpropagationbylayers，thepruning，towhichI
havealreadyreferred，ofsomeshoots，thesettingofothers。Ineedhardlymentionirrigation，ortrenchinganddiggingthesoil，whichmuchincreaseitsfertility。AstotheadvantagesofmanuringIhavespokeninmybookonagriculture。ThelearnedHesioddidnotsayasinglewordonthissubject，thoughhewaswritingonthecultivationofthesoil；yetHomer，whoinmyopinionwasmanygenerationsearlier，representsLaertesassofteninghisregretforhissonbycultivatingandmanuringhisfarm。Norisitonlyincornfieldsandmeadowsandvineyardsandplantationsthatafarmer’slifeismadecheerful。Therearethegardenandtheorchard，thefeedingofsheep，theswarmsofbees，endlessvarietiesofflowers。Norisitonlyplantingoutthatcharms：thereisalsografting—surelythemostingeniousinventionevermadebyhusbandmen。
i6。Imightcontinuemylistofthedelightsofcountrylife；butevenwhatIhavesaidIthinkissomewhatoverlong。However，youmustpardonme；forfarmingisaveryfavouritehobbyofmine，andoldageisnaturallyrathergarrulous—forIwouldnotbethoughttoacquititofallfaults。
Well，itwasinalifeofthissortthatManiusCurius，aftercelebratingtriumphsovertheSamnites，theSabines，andPyrrhus，spenthislastdays。WhenIlookathisvilla—foritisnotfarfrommyown—Inevercanenoughadmiretheman’sownfrugalityorthespiritoftheage。AsCuriuswassittingathishearththeSamnites，whobroughthimalargesumofgold，wererepulsedbyhim；foritwasnot，liesaid，afinethinginhiseyestopossessgold，buttorulethosewhopossessedit。Couldsuchahighspiritfailtomakeoldagepleasant？
Buttoreturntofarmers—nottowanderfrommyownmetier。Tnthosedaysthereweresenators，_i。e_。oldmen，ontheirfarms。ForL。QuinctiusCincinnatuswasactuallyattheploughwhenwordwasbroughthimthathehadbeennamedDictator。ItwasbyhisorderasDictator，bytheway，thatC。ServiliusAhala，theMasteroftheHorse，seizedandputtodeathSpuriusMaeliuswhenattemptingtoobtainroyalpower。CuriusaswellasotheroldmenusedtoreceivetheirsummonsestoattendtheSenateintheirfarm—houses，fromwhichcircumstancethesummonerswerecalled_viatores_or\"travellers。\"Wasthesemen’soldageanobjectofpitywhofoundtheirpleasureinthecultivationoftheland？Inmyopinion，scarcelyanylifecanbemoreblessed，notalonefromitsutility（foragricultureisbeneficialtothewholehumanrace），butalsoasmuchfromthemerepleasureofthething，towhichIhavealreadyalluded，andfromtherichabundanceandsupplyofallthingsnecessaryforthefoodofmanandfortheworshipofthegodsabove。So，astheseareobjectsofdesiretocertainpeople，letusmakeourpeacewithpleasure。Forthegoodandhard—workingfarmer’swine—cellarandoil—store，aswellashislarder，arealwayswellfilled，andhiswholefarm—houseisrichlyfurnished。Itaboundsinpigs，goats，lambs，fowls，milk，cheese，and。honey。
Thenthereisthegarden，whichthefarmersthemselvescalltheir\"
secondflitch。\"Azestandflavourisaddedtoallthesebyhuntingandfowlinginsparehours。NeedImentionthegreeneryofmeadows，therowsoftrees，thebeautyofvineyardandolive—grove？I’willputitbriefly：nothingcaneitherfurnishnecessariesmorerichly，orpresentafairerspectacle，thanwell—cultivatedland。Andtotheenjoymentofthat，oldagedoesnotmerelypresentnohindrance—itactuallyinvitesandallurestoit。
Forwhereelsecanitbetterwarmitself，eitherbybaskinginthesunorbysittingbythefire，oratthepropertimecoolitselfmorewholesomelybythehelpofshadeorwater？Lettheyoungkeeptheirarmsthentothemselves，theirhorses，spears，theirfoilsandball，theirswimmingbathsandrunningpath。Tousoldmenletthem，outofthemanyformsofsport，leavediceandcounters；buteventhatastheychoose，sinceoldagecanbequitehappywithoutthem。
17。Xenophon’sbooksareveryusefulformanypurposes。Praygoonreadingthemwithattention，asyouhaveeverdone。Inwhatampletermsisagriculturelaudedbyhiminthebookabouthusbandingone’sproperty，whichiscalled_Oceonomicus_!Buttoshowyouthathethoughtnothingsoworthyofaprinceasthetasteforcultivatingthesoil，IwilltranslatewhatSocratessaystoCritobulusinthatbook：
\"WhenthatmostgallantLacedaemonianLysandercametovisitthePersianprinceCyrusatSardis，soeminentforhischaracterandthegloryofhisrule，bringinghimpresentsfromhisallies，hetreatedLysanderinallwayswithcourteousfamiliarityandkindness，and，amongotherthings，tookhimtoseeacertainparkcarefullyplanted。Lysanderexpressedadmirationoftheheightofthetreesandtheexactarrangementoftheirrowsinthequincunx，thecarefulcultivationofthesoil，itsfreedomfromweeds，andthesweetnessoftheodoursexhaledfromtheflowers，andwentontosaythatwhatheadmiredwasnottheindustryonly，butalsotheskillofthemanbywhomthishadbeenplannedandlaidout。
Cyrusreplied：’Well，itwasIwhoplannedthewholethingtheserowsaremydoing，thelayingoutisallmine；manyofthetreeswereevenplantedbyownhand。’ThenLysander，lookingathispurplerobe，thebrillianceofhisperson，andhisadornmentPersianfashionwithgoldandmanyjewels，said：’Peoplearequiteright，Cyrus，tocallyouhappy，sincetheadvantagesofhighfortunehavebeenjoinedtoanexcellencelikeyours。’\"
Thiskindofgoodfortune，then，itisinthepowerofoldmentoenjoy；norisageanybartoourmaintainingpursuitsofeveryotherkind，andespeciallyofagriculture，totheveryextremevergeofoldage。Forinstance，wehaveitonrecordthatM。ValeriusCorvuskeptituptohishundredthyear，livingonhislandandcultivatingitafterhisactivecareerwasover，thoughbetweenhisfirstandsixthconsulshipstherewasanintervalofsixandfortyyears。Sothathehadanofficialcareerlastingthenumberofyearswhichourancestorsdefinedascomingbetweenbirthandthebeginningofoldage。Moreover，thatlastperiodofhisoldagewasmoreblessedthanthatofhismiddlelife，inasmuchashehadgreaterinfluenceandlesslabour。Forthecrowninggraceofoldageisinfluence。
HowgreatwasthatofL。CaeciliusMetellus!HowgreatthatofAtiliusCalatinus，overwhomthefamousepitaphwasplaced，\"Verymanyclassesagreeindeemingthistohavebeentheveryfirstmanofthenation\"!Thelinecutonhistombiswellknown。Itisnatural，then，thatamanshouldhavehadinfluence，inwhosepraisetheverdictofhistoryisunanimous。Again，inrecenttimes，whatagreatmanwasPubliusCrassus，PontifexMaximus，andhissuccessorinthesameoffice，M。Lepidus!IneedscarcelymentionPaulusorAfricanus，or，asIdidbefore，Maximus。Itwasnotonlytheirsenatorialutterancesthathadweight：theirleastgesturehaditalso。Infact，oldage，especiallywhenithasenjoyedhonours，hasaninfluenceworthallthepleasuresofyouthputtogether。
18。Butthroughoutmydiscourserememberthatmypanegyricappliestoanoldagethathasbeenestablishedonfoundationslaidbyyouth。FromwhichmaybededucedwhatIoncesaidwithuniversalapplause，thatitwasawretchedoldagethathadtodefenditselfbyspeech。Neitherwhitehairsnorwrinklescanatonceclaiminfluenceinthemselves：itisthehonourableconductofearlierdaysthatisrewardedbypossessinginfluenceatthelast。
Eventhingsgenerallyregardedastriflingandmattersofcourse—beingsaluted，beingcourted，havingwaymadeforone，peoplerisingwhenoneapproaches，beingescortedtoandfromtheforum，beingreferredtoforadvice—allthesearemarksofrespect，observedamongusandinotherStates—alwaysmostsedulouslywherethemoraltoneishighest。TheysaythatLysandertheSpartan，whomIhavementionedbefore，usedtoremarkthatSpartawasthemostdignifiedhomeforoldage；forthatnowherewasmorerespectpaidtoyears，no—wherewasoldageheldinhigherhonour。Nay，thestoryistoldofhowwhenamanofadvancedyearscameintothetheatreatAthenswhenthegamesweregoingon，noplacewasgivenhimanywhereinthatlargeassemblybyhisowncountrymen；butwhenhecameneartheLacedaemonians，whoasambassadorshadafixedplaceassignedtothem，theyroseasonemanoutofrespectforhim，andgavetheveteranaseat。Whentheyweregreetedwithroundsofapplausefromthewholeaudience，oneofthemremarked：
\"TheAtheniansknowwhatisright，butwillnotdoit。\"Therearemanyexcellentrulesinourauguralcollege，butamongthebestisonewhichaffectsoursubject—thatprecedenceinspeechgoesbyseniority；andaugurswhoareolderarepreferredonlytothosewhohaveheldhigheroffice，buteventothosewhoareactuallyinpossessionofimperium。Whatthenarethephysicalpleasurestobecomparedwiththerewardofinfluence？Thosewhohaveemployeditwithdistinctionappeartometohaveplayedthedramaoflifetoitsend，andnottohavebrokendowninthelastactlikeunpractisedplayers。
But，itwillbesaid，oldmenarefretful，fidgety，ill—tempered，anddisagreeable。Ifyoucometothat，theyarealsoavaricious。Butthesearefaultsofcharacter，notofthetimeoflife。And，afterall，fretfulnessandtheotherfaultsImentionedadmitofsomeexcuse—not，indeed，acompleteone，butonethatmaypossiblypassmuster：theythinkthem—selvesneglected，lookeddownupon，mocked，Besideswithbodilyweaknesseveryrubisasourceofpain。Yetallthesefaultsaresoftenedbothbygoodcharacterandgoodeducation。Illustrationsofthismaybefoundinreallife，asalsoonthestageinthecaseofthebrothersinthe_Adeiphi_。Whatharshnessintheone，whatgraciousmannersintheotherThefactisthat，justasitisnoteverywine，soitisnoteverylife，thatturnssourfromkeeping，SeriousgravityIapproveofinoldage，but，asinotherthings，itmustbewithinduelimits：bitternessIcaninnocaseapprove。WhattheobjectofsenileavaricemaybeIcannotconceive。Forcantherebeanythingmoreabsurdthantoseekmorejourneymoney，thelessthereremainsofthejourney？
19。Thereremainsthefourthreason，whichmorethananythingelseappearstotormentmenofmyageandkeeptheminaflutter—THENEARNESSOFDEATH，which，itmustbeallowed，cannotbefarfromanoldman。Butwhatapoordotardmusthebewhohasnotlearntinthecourseofsolongalifethatdeathisnotathingtobefeared？Death，thatiseithertobetotallydisregarded，ifitentirelyextinguishesthesoul，oriseventobedesired，ifitbringshimwhereheistoexistforever。Athirdalternative，atanyrate，cannotpossiblybediscovered。WhythenshouldIbeafraidifIamdestinedeithernottobemiserableafterdeathoreventobehappy？
Afterall，whoissuchafoolastofeelcertain—howeveryounghemaybe—thathewillbealiveintheevening？Nay，thattimeoflifehasmanymorechancesofdeaththanours，Youngmenmoreeasilycontractdiseases；theirillnessesaremoreserious；theirtreatmenthastobemoresevere。Accordingly，onlyafewarriveatoldage。Ifthatwerenotso，lifewouldbeconductedbetterandmorewisely；foritisinoldmenthatthought，reason，andprudencearetobefound；andiftherehadbeennooldmen，Stateswouldneverhaveexistedatall。ButIreturntothesubjectoftheimminenceofdeath。Whatsortofchargeisthisagainstoldage，whenyouseethatitissharedbyyouth？Ihadreasoninthecaseofmyexcellentson—asyouhad，Scipio，inthatofyourbrothers，whowereexpectedtoattainthehighesthonours—torealisethatdeathiscommontoeverytimeoflife。Yes，youwillsay；butayoungmanexpectstolivelong；anoldmancannotexpecttodoso。Well，heisafooltoexpectit。Forwhatcanbemorefoolishthantoregardtheuncertainascertain，thefalseastrue？\"Anoldmanhasnothingeventohope。\"Ah，butitisjusttherethatheisinabetterpositionthanayoungman，sincewhatthelatteronlyhopeshehasobtained。Theonewishestolivelong；theotherhaslivedlong。
Andyet，goodheaven!whatis\"long\"inaman’slife？Forgranttheutmostlimit：letusexpectanagelikethatoftheKingoftheTartessi。Fortherewas，asIfindrecorded，acertainAgathoniusatGadeswhoreignedeightyyearsandlivedahundredandtwenty。
Buttomymindnothingseemsevenlonginwhichthereisany\"last，\"forwhenthatarrives，thenallthepasthasslippedaway—onlythatremainstowhichyouhaveattainedbyvirtueandrighteousactions。Hoursindeed，anddaysandmonthsandyearsdepart，nordoespasttimeeverreturn，norcanthefuturebeknown。Whatevertimeeachisgrantedforlife，withthatheisboundtobecontent。
Anactor，inordertoearnapproval，isnotboundtoperformtheplayfrombeginningtoend；lethimonlysatisfytheaudienceinwhateveractheappears。Norneedawisemangoontotheconcluding\"plaudite。\"Forashorttermoflifeislongenoughforlivingwellandhonourably。Butifyougofarther，youhavenomorerighttogrumblethanfarmersdobecausethecharmofthespringseasonispastandthesummerandautumnhavecome。Fortheword\"spring\"inawaysuggestsyouth，andpointstotheharvesttobe：theotherseasonsaresuitedforthereapingandstoringofthecrops。Nowtheharvestofoldageis，asIhaveoftensaid，thememoryandrichstoreofblessingslaidupineasierlife。
Again，allthingsthataccordwithnaturearetobecountedasgood。
Butwhatcanbemoreinaccordancewithnaturethanforoldmentodie？Athing，indeed，whichalsobeliefsyoungmen，thoughnaturerevoltsandfightsagainstit。Accordingly，thedeathofyoungmenseemstomelikeputtingoutagreatfirewithadelugeofwater；butoldmendielikeafiregoingoutbecauseithasburntdownofitsownnaturewithoutartificialmeans。Again，justasappleswhenunripearetornfromtrees，butwhenripeandmellowdropdown，soitisviolencethattakeslifefromyoungmen，ripenessfromold。Thisripenessissodelightfultome，that，asI
approachnearertodeath，Iseemasitweretobesightingland，andtobecomingtoportatlastafteralongvoyage。
20。Again，thereisnofixedborderlineforoldage，andyouaremakingagoodandproperuseofitaslongasyoucansatisfythecallofdutyanddisregarddeath。Theresultofthisis，thatoldageisevenmoreconfidentandcourageousthanyouth。ThatisthemeaningofSolon’sanswertothetyrantPisistratus。Whenthelatteraskedhimwhatherelieduponinopposinghimwithsuchboldness，heissaidtohavereplied，\"Onmyoldage。\"Butthatendoflifeisthebest，when，withouttheintellectorsensesbeingimpaired，Natureherselftakestopiecesherownhandiworkwhichshealsoputtogether。Justasthebuilderofashiporahousecanbreakthemupmoreeasilythananyoneelse，sothenaturethatknittogetherthehumanframecanalsobestunfastenit。Moreover，athingfreshlygluedtogetherisalwaysdifficulttopullasunder；ifold，thisiseasilydone。
Theresultisthattheshorttimeoflifelefttothemisnottobegraspedatbyoldmenwithgreedyeagerness，orabandonedwithoutcause。Pythagorasforbidsus，withoutanorderfromourcommander，thatisGod，todesertlife’sfortressandoutpost。
Solon’sepitaph，indeed，isthatofawiseman，inwhichhesaysthathedoesnotwishhisdeathtobeunaccompaniedbythesorrowandlamentationsofhisfriends。Hewants，Isuppose，tobebelovedbythem。ButIratherthinkEnniussaysbetter：
Nonegracemewiththeirtears，norweepingloudMakesadmyfuneralrites!
Heholdsthatadeathisnotasubjectformourningwhenitisfollowedbyimmortality。
Again，theremaypossiblybesomesensationofdyingandthatonlyforashorttime，especiallyinthecaseofanoldman：
afterdeath，indeed，sensationiseitherwhatonewoulddesire，oritdisappearsaltogether。Buttodisregarddeathisalessonwhichmustbestudiedfromouryouthup；forunlessthatislearnt，noonecanhaveaquietmind。Fordiewecertainlymust，andthattoowithoutbeingcertainwhetheritmaynotbethisveryday。Asdeath，therefore，ishangingoverourheadeveryhour，howcanamaneverbeunshakeninsoulifhefearsit？
ButonthisthemeIdon’tthinkIneedmuchenlarge：whenI
rememberwhatLuciusBrutusdid，whowaskilledwhiledefendinghiscountry；orthetwoDecii，whospurredtheirhorsestoagallopandmetavoluntarydeath；orM。AtiliusRegulus，wholefthishometoconfrontadeathoftorture，ratherthanbreakthewordwhichliehadpledgedtotheenemy；orthetwoScipios，whodeterminedtoblocktheCarthaginianadvanceevenwiththeirownbodies；oryourgrandfatherLuciusPaulus，whopaidwithhislifefortherashnessofhiscolleagueinthedisgraceatCannae；orM。
Marcellus，whosedeathnoteventhemostbloodthirstyofenemieswouldallowtogowithoutthehonourofburial。Itisenoughtorecallthatourlegions（asIhaverecordedinmy_Origins_）haveoftenmarchedwithcheerfulandloftyspirittogroundfromwhichtheybelievedthattheywouldneverreturn。That，therefore，whichyoungmen—notonlyuninstructed，butabsolutelyignorant—treatasofnoaccount，shallmenwhoareneitheryoungnorignorantshrinkfrominterror？Asageneraltruth，asitseemstome，itiswearinessofallpursuitsthatcreateswearinessoflife。Therearecertainpursuitsadaptedtochildhood：doyoungmenmissthem？Thereareotherssuitedtoearlymanhood：doesthatsettledtimeoflifecalled\"middleage\"askforthem？Thereareothers，again，suitedtothatage，butnotlookedforinoldage。Thereare，finally，somewhichbelongtoOldage。Therefore，asthepursuitsoftheearlierageshavetheirtimefordisappearing，soalsohavethoseofoldage。
Andwhenthattakesplace，asatietyoflifebringsontheripetimefordeath。
21。ForIdonotseewhyIshouldnotventuretotellyoumypersonalopinionastodeath，ofwhichIseemtomyselftohaveaclearervisioninproportionasIamnearertoit。Ibelieve，ScipioandLaelius，thatyourfathers—thoseillustriousmenandmydearestfriends—arestillalive，andthattoowithalifewhichalonedeservesthename。Foraslongasweareimprisonedinthisframeworkofthebody，weperformacertainfunctionandlaboriousworkassignedusbyfate。Thesoul，infact，isofheavenlyorigin，forceddownfromitshomeinthehighest，and，sotospeak，buriedinearth，aplacequiteopposedtoitsdivinenatureanditsimmortality。ButIsupposetheimmortalgodstohavesownsoulsbroadcastinhumanbodies，thattheremightbesometosurveytheworld，andwhilecontemplatingtheorderoftheheavenlybodiestoimitateitintheunvaryingregularityoftheirlife。Norisitonlyreasonandargumentsthathavebroughtmetothisbelief，butthegreatfameandauthorityofthemostdistinguishedphilosophers。I
usedtobetoldthatPythagorasandthePythagoreans—almostnativesofourcountry，whoinoldtimeshadbeencalledtheItalianschoolofphilosophers—neverdoubtedthatwehadsoulsdraftedfromtheuniversalDivineintelligence。Iusedbe—sidestohavepointedouttomethediscoursedeliveredbySocratesonthelastdayofhislifeupontheimmortalityofthesoul—SocrateswhowaspronouncedbytheoracleatDelphitobethewisestofmen。Ineedsaynomore。Ihaveconvincedmyself，andThold—inviewoftherapidmovementofthesoul，itsvividmemoryofthepastanditspropheticknowledgeofthefuture，itsmanyaccomplishments，itsvastrangeofknowledge，itsnumerousdiscoveries—thatanatureembracingsuchvariedgiftscannotitselfbemortal。
Andsincethesoulisalwaysinmotionandyethasnoexternalsourceofmotion，foritisself—moved，Iconcludethatitwillalsohavenoendtoitsmotion，becauseitisnotlikelyevertoabandonitself。Again，sincethenatureofthesoulisnotcomposite，norhasinitanyadmixturethatisnothomogeneousan（lsimilar，I
concludethatitisindivisible，and，ifindivisible，thatitcannotperish。Itisagainastrongproofofmenknowingmostthingsbeforebirth，thatwhenmerechildrentheygraspinnumerablefactswithsuchspeedastoshowthattheyarenotthentakingtheminforthefirsttime，butrememberingandrecallingthem。ThisisroughlyPlato’sargument。
22。OncemoreinXenophonwehavetheelderCyrusonhisdeathbedspeakingasfollows：—
\"Donotsuppose，mydearestsons，thatwhenIhaveleftyouIshallbenowhereandnoone。EvenwhenIwaswithyou，youdidnotseemysoul，butknewthatitwasinthisbodyofminefromwhatIdid。
Believethenthatitisstillthesame，eventhoughyouseeitnot。
Thehonourspaidtoillustriousmenhadnotcontinuedtoexistaftertheirdeath，hadthesoulsoftheseverymennotdonesomethingtomakeusretainourrecollectionofthembeyondtheordinarytime。Formyself，Inevercouldbepersuadedthatsoulswhileinmortalbodieswerealive，anddieddirectlytheyleftthem；
nor，infact，thatthesoulonlylostallintelligencewhenitlefttheunintelligentbody。Ibelieveratherthatwhen，bybeingliberatedfromallcorporealadmixture，ithasbeguntobepureandundefiled，itisthenthatitbecomeswise。Andagain，whenman’snaturalframeisresolvedintoitselementsbydeath，itisclearlyseenwhithereachoftheotherelementsdeparts：fortheyallgototheplacefromwhichtheycame：butthesoulaloneisinvisiblealikewhenpresentandwhendeparting。Oncemore，youseethatnothingissolikedeathassleep。Andyetitisinsleepersthatsoulsmostclearlyrevealtheirdivinenature；fortheyforeseemanyeventswhentheyareallowedtoescapeandareleftfree。Thisshowswhattheyarelikelytobewhentheyhavecompletelyfreedthemselvesfromthefettersofthebody。Wherefore，ifthesethingsareso，obeymeasagod。Butifmysoulistoperishwithmybody，neverthelessdoyoufromaweofthegods，whoguardandgovernthisfairuniverse，preservemymemorybytheloyaltyandpietyofyourlives。\"
23。
SucharethewordsofthedyingCyrus。Iwillnow，withyourgoodleave，lookathome。Noone，mydearScipio，shalleverpersuademethatyourfatherPaulusandyourtwograndfathersPaulusandAfricanus，orthefatherofAfricanus，orhisuncle，ormanyotherillustriousmennotnecessarytomention，wouldhaveattemptedsuchloftydeedsastoberemainderedbyposterity，hadtheynotseenintheirmindsthatfutureagesconcernedthem。Doyousuppose—totakeanoldman’sprivilegeofalittleself—praise—thatI
shouldhavebeenlikelytoundertakesuchheavylaboursbydayandnight，athomeandabroad，ifIhadbeendestinedtohavethesamelimittomygloryastomylife？Haditnotbeenmuchbettertopassanageofeaseandreposewithoutanylabourorexertion？
Butmysoul，Iknownothow，refusingtobekeptdown，everfixeditseyesuponfutureages，asthoughfromaconvictionthatitwouldbegintoliveonlywhenithadleftthebody。Buthaditnotbeenthecasethatsoulswereimmortal，itwouldnothavebeenthesoulsofallthebestmenthatmadethegreatesteffortsafteranimmortalityoffame。
Again，istherenotthefactthatthewisestmaneverdieswiththegreatestcheerfulness，themostunwisewiththeleast？Don’tyouthinkthatthesoulwhichhastheclearerandlongersightseesthatitisstartingforbetterthings，whilethesoulwhosevisionisdimmerdoesnotseeit？Formypart，Iamtransportedwiththedesiretoseeyourfathers，whoweretheobjectofmyreverenceandaffection。NorisitonlythosewhomIknewthatIlongtosee；
itisthosealsoofwhomIhavebeentoldandhaveread，whomI
havemyselfrecordedinmyhistory。WhenIamsettingoutforthat，thereiscertainlynoonewhowillfinditeasytodrawmeback，orboilmeupagainlikesecondPelios。Nay，ifsomegodshouldgrantmetorenewmychildhoodfrommypresentageandoncemoretobecryinginmycradle，Iwouldfirmlyrefuse；norshouldI
intruthbewilling，afterhaving，asitwere，runthefullcourse，toberecalledfromthewinning—creasetothebarriers。Forwhatblessinghaslifetooffer？Shouldwenotrathersaywhatlabour？
Butgrantingthatithas，atanyrateithasafterallalimiteithertoenjoymentortoexistence。Idon’twishtodepreciatelife，asmanymenandgoodphilosophershaveoftendone；nordoIregrethavinglived，forIhavedonesoinawaythatletsmethinkthatIwasnotborninvain。ButIquitlifeasIwouldONOLDAGE
77
aninn，notasIwouldahome。Fornaturehasgivenusaplaceofentertainment，notofresidence。
OhgloriousdaywhenIshallsetouttojointhatheavenlyconclaveandcompanyofsouls，anddepartfromtheturmoilandimpuritiesofthisworld!ForIshallnotgotojoinonlythosewhomIhavebeforementioned，butalsomysonCato，thanwhomnobettermanwaseverborn，noronemoreconspicuousforpiety。Hisbodywasburntbyme，thoughmineought，onthecontrary，tohavebeenburntbyhim；buthisspirit，notabandoning，buteverlookingbackuponme，hascertainlygonewhitherhesawthatItoomustcome。I
wasthoughttobearthatlossheroically，notthatIreallyboreitwithoutdistress，butIfoundmyownconsolationinthethoughtthatthepartingandseparationbetweenuswasnottobeforlong。
Itisbythesemeans，mydearScipio，—foryousaidthatyouandLaeliuswerewonttoexpresssurpriseonthispoint，—thatmyoldagesitslightlyonme，andisnotonlynotoppressivebutevendelightful。ButifIamwronginthinkingthehumansoulimmortal，Iamgladtobewrong；norwillIallowthemistakewhichgivesmesomuchpleasuretobewrestedfrommeaslongasIlive。Butifwhendead，assomeinsignificantphilosophersthink，Iamtobewithoutsensation，Iamnotafraidofdeadphilosophersderidingmyerrors。Again，ifwearenottobeimmortal，itisneverthelesswhatamanmustwish—tohavehislifeendatitspropertime。Fornatureputsalimittolivingastoeverythingelse。Now，oldageisasitweretheplayingoutofthedrama，thefullfatigueofwhichweshouldshun，especiallywhenwealsofeelthatwehavehadmorethanenoughofit。
ThisisallIhadtosayonoldage。Ipraythatyoumayarriveatit，thatyoumayputmywordstoapracticaltest。