Age Quote by William Makepeace Thackeray
“Next to the young, I suppose the very old are the most selfish. Alas, the heart hardens as the blood ceases to run. The cold snow strikes down from the head, and checks the glow of feeling. Who wants to survive into old age after abdicating all his faculties one by one, and be sans teeth, sans eyes, sans memory, sans hope, sans sympathy?”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray, 1847
Old age can become a period of increasing selfishness and emotional coldness as physical and mental faculties decline.
In simple terms: Old age may feel selfish and cold as abilities fade.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and nurture empathy despite aging.
Themes
aging
selfishness
emotional decline
human frailty
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- elder care
- family relationships
- mental health support
- community engagement
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
gerontology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we maintain compassion as we age?
- What societal supports help elders retain dignity?
A Different Perspective
Selfishness may be a coping mechanism, not inherent.
