Affliction Quote by Cesare Pavese
“The real affliction of old age is remorse.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Moon and the Bonfire by Cesare Pavese, 1948
States that the greatest suffering in old age is feeling regret for missed opportunities or past choices.
In simple terms: Old age brings remorse.
Key Takeaway
Live fully to avoid later regret.
Themes
aging
remorse
reflection
Mood
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- elder care counseling
- personal memoir writing
- life planning
Key Concepts
existential angst
life evaluation
Questions to Reflect On
- What regrets, you hold?
- How can you act now to reduce future remorse?
A Different Perspective
Regret may not be universal for all elders.
![“The critical question about regret is whether experience led to growth and new learning. Some people seem to keep on making the same mistakes, while others at least make new ones. Regret and remorse can be either paralyzing or inspiring. [p. 199]” quote by Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/72f/mary-catherine-bateson-11582_critical_the-critical-question-about-regret-is-wh_20978.jpg)
![“May I strike my heart's keys clearly, and may none fail because of slack, uncertain, or fraying strings. May the tears that stream down my face make me more radiant: may my hidden weeping bloom… How we waste our afflictions!... [T]hey're really our wintering foliage, our dark greens of meaning…” quote by Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c7/rainer-maria-rilke-193_abode_may-i-strike-my-heart-s-keys-clearly-and_52479.jpg)
