--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nothing is more disgraceful than that an…" description: "\"Nothing is more disgraceful than that an old man should have nothing to show to prove that he has lived long, except his years.\" — Seneca the Younger" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59d/seneca-the-younger-219_aging_nothing-is-more-disgraceful-than-that-an_1919076.jpg" --- # Nothing is more disgraceful than that an old man should… ![“Nothing is more disgraceful than that an old man should have nothing to show to prove that he has lived long, except his years.” quote by Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59d/seneca-the-younger-219_aging_nothing-is-more-disgraceful-than-that-an_1919076.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59d/seneca-the-younger-219_aging_nothing-is-more-disgraceful-than-that-an_1919076.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59d/seneca-the-younger-219_aging_nothing-is-more-disgraceful-than-that-an_1919076.jpg) > “Nothing is more disgraceful than that an old man should have nothing to show to prove that he has lived long, except his years.” [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A life without achievements leaves only age as proof of existence. **In simple terms:** Longevity without deeds is empty. Key Takeaway Seek meaningful achievements. Themes legacy purpose mortality Mood contemplative serene Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career milestones - community service - artistic creation Key Concepts Stoicism existential meaning Questions to Reflect On - What legacy do you want to leave? - How can you turn time into purpose? A Different Perspective Age alone does not validate a life; actions give value. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aging/) [Disgraceful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgraceful/) [Disgraceful Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disgraceful-old-2935874/) [Lived Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lived-long/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Man Prove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-prove-538428/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Old man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-man/) [Prove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Should have](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should-have/) [Shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [There is nothing more despicable than an old man who has no other proof than his age to offer of his having lived long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/there-is-nothing-more-despicable-than-an-old-man-who-has-no-other/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/that-old-man-dies-prematurely-whose-memory-records-no-benefits/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [If a man cannot prove his religion in the valley, it is not worth anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/if-a-man-cannot-prove-his-religion-in-the-valley-it-is-not-worth/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [I've come loaded with statistics, for I've noticed that a man can't prove anything without statistics. No man can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-ve-come-loaded-with-statistics-for-i-ve-noticed-that-a-man-can-t/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I only need one man who can prove that all men are not the same at all :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tine/i-only-need-one-man-who-can-prove-that-all-men-are-not-the-same-at-all/) [Tine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tine/) > [The average man can't prove most of the things that he chooses to speak of, and still won't research and find out the root…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-marley/the-average-man-can-t-prove-most-of-the-things-that-he-chooses-to/) [Damian Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-marley/) > [When a girl's heart has been broken over and over again, it takes a man to prove to her that he's not like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-a-girl-s-heart-has-been-broken-over-and-over-again-it-takes-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You will know if who the real man is,they will show it to you and prove it to you that they are worth it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-alapan/you-will-know-if-who-the-real-man-is-they-will-show-it-to-you-and/) [Mitch Alapan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-alapan/) > [No man can prove upon awakening that he is the man who he thinks went to bed the night before, or that anything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/no-man-can-prove-upon-awakening-that-he-is-the-man-who-he-thinks-went/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [It is an undeniable privilege of every man to prove himself right in the thesis that the world is his enemy; for if he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-an-undeniable-privilege-of-every-man-to-prove-himself-right-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Anyone can be a princess but it takes a real man to prove to you that you are one](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanna/anyone-can-be-a-princess-but-it-takes-a-real-man-to-prove-to-you-that/) [Alanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanna/) > [One fool will deny more truth in half an hour than a wise man can prove in seven years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coventry-patmore/one-fool-will-deny-more-truth-in-half-an-hour-than-a-wise-man-can/) [Coventry Patmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coventry-patmore/) > [“If need be, the round man can prove a most blunt barrier. Just ask the man with the hammer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/if-need-be-the-round-man-can-prove-a-most-blunt-barrier-just-ask-the/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [We should have a bond of sympathy for all sentient beings, knowing that only the depraved and base take pleasure in the sight of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/we-should-have-a-bond-of-sympathy-for-all-sentient-beings-knowing/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [When you have lived as long as I have, the div replied, you find that cruelty and benevolence are but shades of the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/when-you-have-lived-as-long-as-i-have-the-div-replied-you-find-that/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) ## More by Seneca the Younger > [There is nothing that we can properly call our own but our time, and yet everybody fools us out of it who has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/there-is-nothing-that-we-can-properly-call-our-own-but-our-time-and/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [It is for the superfluous we sweat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/it-is-for-the-superfluous-we-sweat/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Men trust rather to their eyes than to their ears; the effect of precepts is therefore slow and tedious, whilst that of examples is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/men-trust-rather-to-their-eyes-than-to-their-ears-the-effect-of/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [A great step towards independence is a good-humored stomach, one that is willing to endure rough treatment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/a-great-step-towards-independence-is-a-good-humored-stomach-one-that/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Men can be divided into 2 groups: one that goes ahead and achieves something, and one that comes after and criticizes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/men-can-be-divided-into-2-groups-one-that-goes-ahead-and-achieves/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Leisure without study is death, and the grave of a living man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/leisure-without-study-is-death-and-the-grave-of-a-living-man/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Such as the chain of causes we call Fate, such is the chain of wishes: one links on to another; the whole man is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/such-as-the-chain-of-causes-we-call-fate-such-is-the-chain-of-wishes/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [To rule yourself is the ultimate power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/to-rule-yourself-is-the-ultimate-power/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [The road by precepts is tedious, by example, short and efficacious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/the-road-by-precepts-is-tedious-by-example-short-and-efficacious/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Misfortune is the test of a person's merit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/misfortune-is-the-test-of-a-person-s-merit/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [He who does not want to die should not want to live. For life is tendered to us with the proviso of death. Life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/he-who-does-not-want-to-die-should-not-want-to-live-for-life-is/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Let us not seek our disease out of ourselves; 'tis in us, and planted in our bowels; and the mere fact that we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/let-us-not-seek-our-disease-out-of-ourselves-tis-in-us-and-planted-in/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [After death there is nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/after-death-there-is-nothing/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Adversity finds at last the man whom she has often passed by.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/adversity-finds-at-last-the-man-whom-she-has-often-passed-by/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Hesitation is the best cure for anger. The first blows of anger are heavy, but if it waits, it will think again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/hesitation-is-the-best-cure-for-anger-the-first-blows-of-anger-are/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) [Explore all 872 Seneca the Younger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) ## More Aging quotes > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [In the past 40 years, the United States lost more than a million farmers and ranchers. Many of our farmers are aging. Today, only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/in-the-past-40-years-the-united-states-lost-more-than-a-million/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [We'll never be as young as we are tonight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/we-ll-never-be-as-young-as-we-are-tonight/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“Prayer of an Anonymous Abbess: Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/prayer-of-an-anonymous-abbess-lord-thou-knowest-better-than-myself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The more I produce, the less I am certain. On the road along which the artist walks, night falls ever more densely. Finally, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-more-i-produce-the-less-i-am-certain-on-the-road-along-which-the/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [So often do you see collegians enter life with high resolve and lofty purpose and then watch them shrink and shrink to sordid, selfish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/so-often-do-you-see-collegians-enter-life-with-high-resolve-and-lofty/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/) [Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/) > [All the dangers in our world are like a blessed wake up call. They tell us to live life NOW... not tomorrow, not when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/all-the-dangers-in-our-world-are-like-a-blessed-wake-up-call-they/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [“You could see the signs of female aging as diseased, especially if you had a vested interest in making women too see them your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/you-could-see-the-signs-of-female-aging-as-diseased-especially-if-you/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [“It takes maturity to be able to laugh like a child again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moffat-machingura/it-takes-maturity-to-be-able-to-laugh-like-a-child-again/) [Moffat Machingura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moffat-machingura/) > [Seek ye counsel of the aged for their eyes have looked on the faces of the years and their ears have hardened to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/seek-ye-counsel-of-the-aged-for-their-eyes-have-looked-on-the-faces/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Growing old-it's not nice, but it's interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/growing-old-it-s-not-nice-but-it-s-interesting/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [Anything is possible in the life of a man if he lives long enough. Even maturity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howell-raines/anything-is-possible-in-the-life-of-a-man-if-he-lives-long-enough/) [Howell Raines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howell-raines/) > [I just want to be Patty McCormack. I want to spend every year aging the way she has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-varney/i-just-want-to-be-patty-mccormack-i-want-to-spend-every-year-aging/) [Janet Varney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-varney/) > [Maturity is reached the day we don't need to be lied to about anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-yerby/maturity-is-reached-the-day-we-don-t-need-to-be-lied-to-about-anything/) [Frank Yerby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-yerby/) [Browse all 2,792 Aging quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aging/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Nothing is more disgraceful than that an old man should have nothing to show to prove that he has lived long, except his years.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Seneca the Younger" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/nothing-is-more-disgraceful-than-that-an-old-man-should-have-nothing/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aging" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/nothing-is-more-disgraceful-than-that-an-old-man-should-have-nothing/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59d/seneca-the-younger-219_aging_nothing-is-more-disgraceful-than-that-an_1919076.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59d/seneca-the-younger-219_aging_nothing-is-more-disgraceful-than-that-an_1919076.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59d/seneca-the-younger-219_aging_nothing-is-more-disgraceful-than-that-an_1919076.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Nothing is more disgraceful than that an old man should have nothing to show to prove that he has lived…” — Seneca the Younger", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Seneca the Younger", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Nothing is more disgraceful than that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/nothing-is-more-disgraceful-than-that-an-old-man-should-have-nothing/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/nothing-is-more-disgraceful-than-that-an-old-man-should-have-nothing/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```