For certainly old age has a great sense of calm and…
““For certainly old age has a great sense of calm and freedom; when the passions relax their hold, then, as Sophocles says, we are freed from the grasp not of one mad master only, but of many. The truth is, Socrates, that these regrets, and also the complaints about relations, are to be attributed to the same cause, which is not old age, but men's characters and tempers; for he who is of a calm and happy nature will hardly feel the pressure of age, but to him who is of an opposite disposition youth and age are equally a burden.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Calmness and freedom in old age come from a balanced temperament, not age itself; a peaceful character lessens life's burdens.
In simple terms: A calm nature eases aging.
Key Takeaway
Develop inner peace.
Themes
philosophy
aging
temperament
freedom
Mood
contemplative
wise
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- elder care
- stress management
- personal development
- relationships
Key Concepts
Stoicism
character development
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you nurture a calm disposition?
- What practices reduce the “mad master” of stress?
A Different Perspective
Even a calm person faces challenges; temperament isn’t a cure‑all.