“I never heard of an old man forgetting where he had buried his money! Old people remember what interests them: the dates fixed for their lawsuits, and the names of their debtors and creditors.”
- January 3, 106 BC – December 7, 43 BC
- Roman
- Orator, Philosopher, Statesman, Lawyer, Author
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Quote
“I never heard of an old man forgetting where he had buried his money! Old people remember what interests them: the dates fixed for their lawsuits, and the names of their debtors and creditors.”
Explanation
Cicero humorously counters the stereotype that old age inevitably brings forgetfulness, pointing out that memory often persists when personal interest is involved. His remark that no old man forgets where his money is buried underscores that attention and concern sharpen memory, regardless of age. Elderly individuals, he notes, readily recall matters like legal appointments and financial dealings—areas tied to their well-being or identity—because they care about them deeply.
This observation, found in De Senectute (On Old Age), serves both as a defense of aging and a commentary on the selective nature of memory. Cicero implies that what we remember is less about ability and more about emotional or practical relevance. Old age, far from dulling the mind entirely, often retains clarity where motivation, habit, and self-interest are involved.
In modern psychological terms, Cicero’s insight aligns with the idea that emotionally salient or meaningful information is more likely to be remembered, even in older adults. His words remind us that memory loss is not uniform or inevitable, and that what we value deeply tends to stay with us—a tribute to the enduring power of interest, involvement, and purpose throughout life.
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