Thursday, August 30, 2012

Quote from Cicero: On Old Age

Cicero, using the voice of Cato the Elder: "You may be sure, my dear Scipio and Laelius, that the arms best adapted to old age are culture and the active exercise of the virtues. For if they have been maintained at every period - if one has lived much as well as long - the harvest they produce is wonderful, not only because they never fail us even in our last days (though that in itself is supremely important), but also because the consciousness of a well - spent life and the recollection of many virtuous actions are exceedingly delightful."

This is a theme that I have come across more than a few times now while reading the classics. Specifically on the theme of death, or in this case old age, the ancients constantly harp on the point that we should look back on our lives and be sure that we are pleased with what we have done. That is, we must live virtuously and not squandering our team on amoral pursuits. 

So what about you. What are you doing to prepare for your death? Are you preparing a saving fund? What about your virtues and your character. Have you also been preparing and developing that?