There are employments suited to old age which
are as necessary to the well-being of society as
those which require greater physical powers 15-20

(b). The special objection that old men have weak
memories is answered by showing that this is
due either to an original defect or to insufficient
exercise 21-22

(c). Argument from fact: instances of old men in
public and in private life who till death were
actively at work 23-26

B. Rebuttal of the second charge, that old age weakens the physical powers.

(a). Old age does not desire nor require the strength
of youth, because it may exert influence
through other means. Instances cited to show
this 27-32

(b). Temperate habits will retain a good measure
of strength till old age (33, 34); many instances
of weakness in old age may be attributed to
ill-health, which is common to all periods of
life (35); proper care will greatly retard decay 33-38

C. Refutation of the third charge, that old age takes away the capacity for
enjoyment

(a). The pleasures in which youth finds its keenest
enjoyment are in themselves bad, and old age
is beneficent in freeing from their allurements 39-44

(b). Old age has pleasures far more refined and satisfying
than those of sense 45-64
Such as, those of conversation and literature
(45-50); especially those of agriculture (51-61);
and lastly, the exercise of influence, which old
age will always possess if a rightly spent youth
has preceded (62-64).

(c). The special objection that old men's tempers
spoil their enjoyments is met by the statement
that this is the fault of character, not of age 65

D. Refutation of the fourth charge, that old age is unhappy because it
involves the anticipation of death.

(a). Since the right aim of life is to live not long
but well, death ought not to be dreaded at any
age 66-69

(b). Old men, especially those of learning and culture,
ought not to fear death 70-76
Because, that which is according to nature is
good, and it is natural