Old quotes

“Whoever thinks that he alone has speech, or possesses speech or mind above others, when unfolded such men are seen to be empty.” Sophocles

“If it were possible to cure evils by lamentation and to raise the dead with tears, then gold would be a less valuable thing than weeping.” Sophocles

“Not even old age knows how to love death.” Sophocles

“Old age and the passage of time teach all things.” Sophocles

“I met in the street a very poor young man who was in love. His hat was old, his coat worn, his cloak was out at the elbows, the water passed through his shoes, - and the stars through his soul.” Victor Hugo

“Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.” Victor Hugo

“How did it happen that their lips came together? How does it happen that birds sing, that snow melts, that the rose unfolds, that the dawn whitens behind the stark shapes of trees on the quivering summit of the hill? A kiss, and all was said.” Victor Hugo

“When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age.” Victor Hugo

“The first symptom of love in a young man is timidity; in a girl boldness.” Victor Hugo

“The wise man does not grow old, but ripens.” Victor Hugo

“Whenever a man's friends begin to compliment him about looking young, he may be sure that they think he is growing old.” Victor Hugo

“Initiative is doing the right thing without being told.” Victor Hugo

“Doing nothing is happiness for children and misery for old men.” Victor Hugo

“I put a Phrygian cap on the old dictionary.” Victor Hugo

“Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” Franz Kafka

“You can hold yourself back from the sufferings of the world, that is something you are free to do and it accords with your nature, but perhaps this very holding back is the one suffering you could avoid.” Franz Kafka

“Youth is happy because it has the ability to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” Franz Kafka

“The thornbush is the old obstacle in the road. It must catch fire if you want to go further.” Franz Kafka

“Let me remind you of the old maxim: people under suspicion are better moving than at rest, since at rest they may be sitting in the balance without knowing it, being weighed together with their sins.” Franz Kafka

“My doctor tells me I should start slowing it down - but there are more old drunks than there are old doctors so let's all have another round.” Willie Nelson

“A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new; when an age ends; and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance.” Jawaharlal Nehru

“Let me tell you I am better acquainted with you for a long absence, as men are with themselves for a long affliction: absence does but hold off a friend, to make one see him the truer.” Ovid

“Venus favors the bold.” Ovid

“The bold adventurer succeeds the best.” Ovid

“Every lover is a soldier.” Ovid

“Against the bold, daring is unsafe.” Ovid

“The gods behold all righteous actions.” Ovid

“Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” William Shakespeare

“Life is as tedious as twice-told tale, vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man.” William Shakespeare

“With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.” William Shakespeare