It is capital misery for a man to be at once both old and ignorant. if he were only old, and had some knowledge he might lessen the tediousness of decrepit age by the pleasures of contemplation. If he were young, though he knew nothing, his later years would serve him to labour and learn, so that in 'the winter of his time' when he is weary, he might find some comfort in his chair. but now, there is no man as wretched as he whose body is being withered by the passage of time and whose mind is totally unfurnished by those ideas of science and the world in general.
A Gray head with a wise mind is a treasure of grave precepts, experience, and judgement. but foolish old age is a barren vine in a season of harvest, or a university where foolishness is studied: every action is a pattern of infirmity: while his body sits still, he does not know how to find his mind's action; and there is no life as burdensome or disgusting as that of idleness.....
What then? Knowledge is not hurtful, but helps a good mind; anything that is laudable i desire to learn. if I die tomorrow, my life today shall somewhat be sweeter for knowledge: and if my days prove a summer one, it will be perfectly all right to have my mind as my companion. I remember the answer given by Antisthenes, the Athenian philosopher, when he was asked what he had gained from all his studies. 'By them' he said 'I have learned both to live and talk with myself'