#Old Age

Oscar Wilde’s Dark Joke About Money’s Power

Oscar Wilde’s line begins like a tidy moral fable: youth mistakenly worships money, while age brings wiser priorities. Yet the sentence swivels on its final clause—“now that I am old I know that it is”—turning expected growth into a grim confirmation. This trapdoor structure is classic Wilde: he offers an ethical lesson, then undercuts it to expose how stubbornly material reality can overpower ideals. [...]

Building a Shield for Old Age Through Honest Work

Such a life of honest work also impacts others—family, friends, and community. Elder figures who have led by example serve as beacons, fostering respect and affection. In Plato’s ‘Crito,’ Socratic wisdom is sought precisely because of a reputation built on uprightness. This enduring influence provides another layer of armor: the support and gratitude of those who have been touched by a well-spent life. [...]