“Advice in old age is foolish; for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach to our journey’s end.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“Advice in old age is foolish; for what can be more absurd than to increase our provisions for the road the nearer we approach to our journey’s end.”
Explanation
In this quote, Cicero delivers a sharp critique of excessive concern for material gain late in life. He compares the accumulation of wealth or resources in old age to stockpiling supplies just before a journey ends—a practice he views as irrational and shortsighted. The deeper message is that as life nears its conclusion, the focus should shift from acquisition to reflection, wisdom, and detachment.
This sentiment aligns with Cicero’s philosophical reflections in De Senectute, where he promotes a vision of old age centered on virtue, contemplation, and the cultivation of the soul, rather than worldly ambition. The quote may also serve as a critique of greed or insecurity, suggesting that fear of death or loss can lead people to act irrationally, even when their needs are already met. True wisdom, for Cicero, involves recognizing when enough is enough.
In the modern era, this insight challenges consumerist values that often drive people to chase wealth indefinitely, even when its practical use diminishes. Cicero reminds us that the final phase of life is not for hoarding, but for giving, guiding, and achieving peace. It is a call to live purposefully, not anxiously, and to let go of the illusion that more possessions can secure what only wisdom and acceptance can offer.
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