But to me, Socrates, these complainers seem to blame that which is not really in fault.

For if old age were the cause, I too being old, and every other old man, would have felt as they do.

But this is not my own experience, nor that of others whom I have known.

How well I remember the aged poet Sophocles, when in answer to the question, How does love suit with age, Sophocles,--are you still the man you were?
Peace, he replied; most gladly have I escaped the thing of which you speak; I feel as if I had escaped from a mad and furious master.

His words have often occurred to my mind since, and they seem as good to me now as at the time when he uttered them.