“How incessant and great are the ills with which a prolonged old age is replete.”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
Quote
“How incessant and great are the ills with which a prolonged old age is replete.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis expresses a somber view of old age, acknowledging the physical and emotional challenges that often accompany prolonged aging. Lewis suggests that as people grow older, they face a multitude of afflictions—from declining health to the loss of loved ones, as well as the psychological burden of seeing one’s life and capabilities diminish. These “ills” are not just physical but encompass the emotional and existential challenges of growing old, where the person must reckon with the passage of time and the inevitable approach of death. Lewis, particularly in his later years, was reflective on the nature of aging and the inevitability of decline, something that is often difficult for many to accept or face.
Historically, Lewis wrote this at a time when aging was often viewed with a sense of resignation or inevitability, particularly for the elderly who had fewer medical advances and societal support systems. He was acutely aware of the loneliness and physical deterioration that accompanied old age, especially as he experienced the loss of his wife, Joy Davidman, and entered his own later years. His reflections on aging were deeply tied to his Christian understanding of suffering, where he saw the experience of growing old as part of the human condition, one that required spiritual endurance and an embrace of faith in the face of inevitable decline.
In modern times, this quote resonates as we continue to navigate a world that often glorifies youth and places pressure on the elderly to remain active and productive. While advances in healthcare and social services have made old age more manageable for many, the psychological and emotional toll of growing older remains a central issue. Lewis’s perspective invites us to recognize that aging, while inevitable, can also be a time for spiritual growth and acceptance, and that the “ills” of old age do not diminish a person’s worth or capacity for meaningful existence.
