There is nothing more agreeable to a man than prudence, which old age most certainly bestows on a man, though it may strip him of everything else.

But what age is long, or what is there at all long to a man?
Does not Old age, though unregarded, still attend On childhood's pastimes, as the cares of men?
But because there is nothing beyond old age, we call that long: all these things are said to be long or short, according to the proportion of time they were given us for.

Artistotle saith there is a kind of insect near the river Hypanis, which runs from a certain part of Europe into the Pontus, whose life consists but of one day; those that die at the eighth hour die in full age; those who die when the sun sets are very old, especially when the days are at the longest.

Compare our longest life with eternity, and we shall be found almost as short-lived as those little animals.
XL.

Let us, then, despise all these follies--for what softer name can I give to such levities ?--and let us lay the foundation of our happiness in the strength and greatness of our minds, in a contempt and disregard of all earthly things, and in the practice of every virtue.