--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Alas, how right the ancient saying is…" description: "\"Alas, how right the ancient saying is: We, who are old, are nothing else but noise And shape. Like mimicries of dreams we go, And have no wits, althoug..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/euripides-472_age_alas-how-right-the-ancient-saying-is-we_2116465.jpg" --- # Alas, how right the ancient saying is: We, who are old… ![“Alas, how right the ancient saying is: We, who are old, are nothing else but noise And shape. Like mimicries of dreams we go, And have no wits, although we think us wise.” quote by Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/euripides-472_age_alas-how-right-the-ancient-saying-is-we_2116465.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/euripides-472_age_alas-how-right-the-ancient-saying-is-we_2116465.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/947/euripides-472_age_alas-how-right-the-ancient-saying-is-we_2116465.jpg) > “Alas, how right the ancient saying is: We, who are old, are nothing else but noise And shape. Like mimicries of dreams we go, And have no wits, although we think us wise.” [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poet reflects on old age as noisy and shape‑less, questioning the wisdom that comes with age. **In simple terms:** Old age can be noisy and lack true wisdom. Key Takeaway Recognize that age does not guarantee insight. Themes aging wisdom humility Mood contemplative melancholic Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - elder care - intergenerational dialogue Key Concepts philosophical reflection life cycles Questions to Reflect On - What does true wisdom look like? - How can elders share knowledge effectively? A Different Perspective Age can also bring valuable experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Alas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alas/) [Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient/) [Ancient Saying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient-saying-714582/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Mimicry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mimicry/) [Noise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/noise/) [Old age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-age/) [Old Noise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-noise-4297069/) [Right Ancient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-ancient-4297070/) [Saying Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saying-old-249925/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) [Wit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit/) ## Related quotes > [It's a shame that when you've actually lived some life and have something to write about, they're saying you're too old to come out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kt-tunstall/it-s-a-shame-that-when-you-ve-actually-lived-some-life-and-have/) [KT Tunstall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kt-tunstall/) > [“I was once more struck by the truth of the ancient saying: Man's heart is a ditch full of blood. 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