It is good even for old men to learn wisdom.
The tragedian Aeschylus, father of Greek drama, wrote with the voice of the gods when he declared: “It is good even for old men to learn wisdom.” In these words he proclaims that the pursuit of wisdom knows no end, that the heart of man, whether young or aged, is never beyond the reach of growth. To cease learning is to wither before death arrives, but to keep seeking truth is to remain alive in spirit even as the body bends with years.
The origin of this thought lies in the world of ancient Athens, where Aeschylus witnessed the rise and fall of men, the turmoil of wars, and the shifting tides of fortune. In his tragedies, kings and warriors often learned too late, their pride shattering only after suffering had taught them the bitter lessons of the gods. From such tales arose this teaching—that even in age, when the body is weary, the mind must remain open, lest folly triumph over wisdom.
History echoes this in the figure of Michelangelo, who, well into his eighties, declared, “I am still learning.” The master sculptor who carved David and painted the Sistine Chapel knew that the soul never exhausts its thirst for growth. His aged hands still reached for perfection, embodying the truth that wisdom is not a crown bestowed once for all, but a path walked until the final breath.
The ancients likened life to a voyage across the sea. The young sailor learns to raise the sail, the seasoned captain learns to read the stars, and even in old age, the mariner may discover new winds and new constellations. So too with wisdom: no man, however gray, is so complete that he may not learn, no woman so experienced that she may not deepen her understanding. For learning is the eternal companion of the human soul.
Therefore, O children of tomorrow, do not think age exempts you from the pursuit of truth. Let the elders, like the youth, drink from the fountain of wisdom. For as long as breath endures, the soul may grow, and those who remain students until their final hour are the true sages of the earth. Aeschylus reminds us: life’s greatest honor is not to have learned once, but to be always learning.
TTPhan Thi Thanh
Aeschylus’ quote really speaks to the idea that wisdom is not about age, but about learning and reflecting on life. It makes me think about how wisdom often comes from experience, but can also be cultivated through continuous learning. Does this mean we should always seek to expand our minds, no matter how old we are? How can we encourage older generations to embrace new ideas without feeling like they’ve already ‘learned enough’?
HNNhi Ho nguyen
The quote by Aeschylus is an excellent reminder that wisdom is a continuous journey. It’s not just something that comes naturally with age, but something that requires effort and intention. I wonder, though, if society today allows older individuals enough space to grow and learn? There’s often a tendency to push older generations aside in favor of younger voices. How do we create a culture that values the wisdom of older individuals while still encouraging their growth?
AManh my
I find Aeschylus’ statement to be both inspiring and humbling. It’s easy to assume that as we age, we should already possess all the wisdom we need, but this quote challenges that. Is there an age when learning stops? Or, in fact, do older individuals have the capacity for deeper wisdom, simply because they’ve lived through more? How do we keep the pursuit of wisdom alive as we grow older, especially in a world that often values youth over experience?
NTNghi Truong
Aeschylus' quote makes me think about how wisdom is not limited by age. It suggests that learning is a lifelong process, which is such an empowering idea. But, in practical terms, how do we ensure that older generations remain open to learning new things? Is there a barrier that comes with age that makes it harder to embrace new ideas, or does the accumulation of experience actually make learning more valuable as we get older?