The crucial task of old age is balance: keeping just well enough just brave enough just gay and interested and starkly honest enough to remain a sentient human being.

The balance of private good and general welfare is at the bottom of civilized morals but the morals of the Heroic Age are founded on individuality and on nothing else.

The nearer people approach old age the closer they return to a semblance of childhood until the time comes for them to depart this life again like children neither tired of living nor aware of death.