Men who have reached and passed forty-five, have a look as if

"Men who have reached and passed forty-five, have a look as if waiting for the secret of the other world, and as if they were perfectly sure of having found out the secret of this." These words by Golda Meir reflect a profound understanding of the human experience, especially as we pass through the thresholds of age. In her keen observation, she captures a paradox that many of us come to understand as we grow older: with the passing of years comes a deep yearning for spiritual understanding, yet at the same time, a sense of confidence in having uncovered the truths of this world. Meir speaks to that peculiar moment in life, when a person’s search for meaning shifts from the external to the internal, from the material world to the mysteries of existence beyond.

In the ancient world, the transition into midlife was marked by a deep reflection on one's existence. The Greeks, particularly philosophers like Socrates and Plato, believed that the pursuit of wisdom was not a young man's game but one that deepened over time. Socrates famously declared that "The unexamined life is not worth living," but it was only later in life, after experiencing the world, that one could truly embark on the journey of self-examination. The Stoics, such as Epictetus, also saw old age as a time for inner peace—a time to reflect on the soul's journey and seek understanding not through external success, but through personal mastery over one's desires and emotions. Meir’s insight that men past forty-five “have found out the secret of this world” speaks to the wisdom gained from years of experience, but also to the realization that there is much more to learn beyond the physical realm.

The transition described by Meir can also be seen in the life of King Solomon, whose wisdom in later years was a reflection of his years of experience and the introspection that followed. Solomon’s Proverbs and Ecclesiastes speak to the quest for understanding that only comes after living through life’s complexities. Having reached the peak of his material success, Solomon turned inward, reflecting on the vanity of wealth and power and the deeper truths of existence. The older he became, the more he recognized that the answers to life’s greatest questions were not found in accumulating possessions, but in the pursuit of inner peace and spiritual wisdom. Similarly, the passage of time brings about a shift from the outward quest to the inward search for meaning.

There is a profound example in Leonardo da Vinci, whose genius blossomed throughout his life, but it was in his later years that his work took on a more philosophical tone. Da Vinci’s later years were marked by an increasing interest in the mysteries of the human body, the nature of the cosmos, and the spiritual dimensions of life. In his notebooks, da Vinci left behind reflections that reveal an almost mystical view of the world, showing that, as he passed the age of forty-five, he began to seek the deeper truths of existence. Just as Meir suggests, the older soul turns towards understanding the world beyond, while also looking back with the certainty that they have grasped the secrets of the material world.

However, Meir’s quote is not just about the pursuit of wisdom in the later stages of life, but also about the confidence that comes with experience. The older man, according to Meir, “has a look as if he were perfectly sure of having found out the secret of this world.” This confidence often comes after years of trial, failure, and success—a sense that the material world no longer holds the same mystery it once did. The ancient Romans understood this well. Figures like Cicero and Marcus Aurelius, who matured into their intellectual and political roles, expressed a similar sentiment. They had lived through the turbulence of youth, the pressures of ambition, and the quest for glory, and in doing so, had gained a peace that only comes with the passage of time. They knew that the true purpose of life was not the accumulation of riches or the pursuit of power, but the cultivation of virtue, wisdom, and inner balance.

The lesson Meir imparts through her words is both a reflection and a call to embrace the deep wisdom that comes with age. As we grow older, we are reminded not just of the certainty that experience brings, but of the growing longing for the answers to the greatest mysteries of life. The search for meaning, purpose, and understanding evolves from an outward quest for success to an inward search for peace and spiritual insight. The confidence that we have found the secrets of this world should not lead to complacency, but rather to a deeper desire to explore the mysteries of the next world, to seek wisdom in the unseen and the eternal.

The practical lesson here is that we must embrace the journey of growth, knowing that with every year comes the opportunity for deeper understanding. Whether we are forty-five or beyond, or whether we are still young, we must recognize that each stage of life brings with it the chance to look inward. The material world offers us much to learn, but it is through the search for inner wisdom—through self-reflection, through quiet moments of contemplation—that we find the deepest truths. As you age, do not fear the unknown; rather, embrace the mystery of life’s deeper questions and look to your own experiences, your own lessons, for the answers that will guide you toward a more fulfilled and meaningful existence.