Chapter 8

25 “And however old the farmer may be, he does not hesitate when someone asks for whom he plants: ‘For the immortal gods, who intended me not merely to receive these things from my ancestors but also to hand them on to those who follow.’

“Caecilius speaks better here, of an old man providing for another generation, than in these other lines:By Pollux, old age, if you brought no other faultWith you when you arrived, this one would be enough:Living long, a man sees much he would rather not see.And perhaps much he wishes to see as well! Youth, too, often meets what it would rather not. Still worse is this passage by the same Caecilius:This, I think, is the greatest misery of age:To feel that at that age one is hateful to another.Welcome, rather than hateful!”

26 “For just as wise old men delight in young people of good character, and those whom the young honor and love find old age lighter, so the young welcome the counsel of the old that guides them toward the pursuit of virtue. I know that you find my company no less pleasing than I find yours. You see, then, that old age is not merely free of languor and idleness: it is busy, always acting and undertaking something—something, naturally, in keeping with each person’s pursuits in earlier life. And what of those who even learn something new? We see Solon boasting in verse that he grows old learning something every day. So did I: I learned Greek literature in old age, seizing upon it as eagerly as a man seeking to quench a long thirst, so that I might know for myself the very examples you now hear me use. When I heard that Socrates had done the same with the lyre, I wished I could do that too, for the ancients used to learn it. But with literature, at least, I worked hard.”

25 “And however old a farmer is, he has no hesitation when someone asks whom he is planting for. He answers, ‘For the immortal gods. The gods wanted me to take these things from earlier generations and then pass them on to later ones.’

“Caecilius writes better about the old man who looks ahead to another generation than he does in these lines:‘By Pollux, old age, even if you bring no other troublewith you when you arrive, this one thing is enough:a long life makes you see many things you do not want to see.’And perhaps many things you do want to see. Young people, too, often encounter things they do not want. The same Caecilius is still more mistaken here:‘But I think the saddest part of old age is this:to feel at that age that someone else dislikes you.’Liked, rather than disliked!”

26 “Wise old men enjoy young people of good character. Old age becomes easier for those whom the young respect and love. In the same way, young people welcome advice from older men that guides them toward virtue. I can see that you enjoy my company no less than I enjoy yours. But you see that old age is not weak and idle. It is hardworking, always doing something and making plans. These activities naturally follow the interests each person had earlier in life. What about those who even keep learning something new? We see Solon proudly saying in his verses that he is growing old while learning something every day. I did that too: I learned Greek in my old age. I took it up as eagerly as someone trying to satisfy a long thirst, so that I could become familiar with the very examples you now see me using. When I heard that Socrates had done this with the lyre, I would certainly have liked to do that too. People in earlier times did learn to play the lyre. But at least I worked hard at literature.”