The fool’s life is empty of gratitude and full of fears; its course lies wholly toward the future.
EpicurusRead
Both old and young alike ought to seek wisdom: the former in order that, as age comes over him, he may be young in good things because of the grace of what has been, and the latter in order that, while he is young, he may at the same time be old, because he has no fear of the things which are to come.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Both the young and old should pursue wisdom to enhance their lives at different stages.
Epicurus emphasizes the importance of wisdom for individuals at both ends of the age spectrum. The young should cultivate wisdom to face the future without fear, while the old should reflect on past wisdom to gain a youthful perspective on life, allowing them to appreciate the grace of their experiences.
Themes
WisdomYouthAgeExperienceKnowledgeFear
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a commencement speech to inspire graduates.
More from Epicurus
All quotes →Accustom yourself to believe that death is nothing to us, for good and evil imply awareness, and death is the privation of all awareness; therefore a right understanding that death is nothing to us makes the mortality of life enjoyable, not by adding to life an unlimited time, but by taking away the yearning after immortality. For life has no terror; for those who thoroughly apprehend that there are no terrors for them in ceasing to live.
EpicurusRead
The wise man who has become accustomed to necessities knows better how to share with others than how to take from them, so great a treasure of self-sufficiency has he found.
EpicurusRead
We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink.
EpicurusRead
I was not, I was, I am not, I care not. (Non fui, fui, non sum, non curo)
EpicurusRead
Of all the means to insure happiness throughout the whole life, by far the most important is the acquisition of friends.
EpicurusRead
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