Fear Quote by John Mortimer
““It's the time ahead that's the worry. Not only the frequent occurrence of breakfast, the days chasing each other like Keystone Cops at the end of an old movie or Benny Hill after girls. It's not the bother of walking with a stick ... it's not the time spent planning how to get to your feet, or the need to persuade those around you to sit on chairs to stop them falling over when you grab them as an aid to standing. It's not even that you may be compelled, in the not-too-distant future, to write off for the 'Adjustable Urinal' ('Secure, yet comfortable to wear like an athlete's support'), the 'Practical Bath Seat', the 'Gentle Pelvic Extender', the 'Complete Video Guide to Manageable Sex Over Sixty', or even the 'Decorative Sticker Window Films' to stop you walking into glass doors. ... The real trouble with old age is that it lasts for such a short time.””
About This Quote
Source Play: "The Man Who Knew Too Much", 1975 (fictional monologue)
Aging feels brief and chaotic, filled with absurd concerns and a sense that time passes quickly, making the shortness of old age the real problem.
In simple terms: Aging is short, chaotic, and filled with odd worries.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the fleeting nature of later life.
Themes
aging
time
absurdity
reflection
life
shortness
Mood
wry
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
humorous
When to use this quote
- retirement planning
- health care
- daily routines
- intergenerational dialogue
Key Concepts
existential humor
social commentary
aging anxiety
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this absurd view reveal about societal attitudes toward aging?
- How can we find meaning despite life's chaos?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the value of wisdom gained with age.
![“Take sex, for instance.' 'What do you want me to do with it?' 'Try to be serious for a moment. Take the sex life of our father.' [...] Even after a couple of brandies he felt extremely reluctant to discuss sex and his father. 'It's something I'd rather not think about,' he said. 'We all come into…” quote by John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/280/john-mortimer-7362_conception_take-sex-for-instance-what-do-you-want-m_4946.jpg)
