But, it is said, memory dwindles. No doubt, unless you keep it in practice, or if you happen to be somewhat dull by nature.
Genuine
Yes. In On Old Age (44 BC), Chapter VII, section 21 (Cato Maior de Senectute 7.21), said by Marcus Porcius Cato the Elder. These are the character’s words, not a statement in Cicero’s own voice.
Found word for word by program in the Latin original and in E. S. Shuckburgh’s English translation.
- Work
- On Old Age (Cato Maior de Senectute), 44 BC
- Where
- Chapter VII, section 21 (Cato Maior de Senectute 7.21)
- Found at
- Paragraph 42 of the Latin text, 33 of the English
- Translation
- E. S. Shuckburgh
Researched by AI; checked by program against the full text on 31 October 2026. Editorial review: pending. How we check
On the page
For of course rashness is the note of youth, prudence of old age.
Temeritas est videlicet florentis aetatis, prudentia senescentis.
7. But, it is said, memory dwindles. No doubt, unless you keep it in practice, or if you happen to be somewhat dull by nature.1 Themistocles had the names of all his fellow-citizens by heart. Do you imagine that in his old age he used to address Aristides as Lysimachus? For my part, I know not only the present generation, but their fathers also, and their grandfathers. […]
VII. 21. At memoria minuitur. Credo, nisi eam exerceas, aut etiam si sis natura tardior. Themistocles omnium civium perceperat nomina; num igitur censetis eum, cum aetate processisset, qui Aristides esset, Lysimachum salutare solitum? […]
But, to pass over these sublime studies, I can name some rustic Romans from the Sabine district, neighbours and friends of my own, without whose presence farm work of importance is scarcely ever performed—whether sowing, or harvesting or storing crops. […]
22. Quid iuris consulti, quid pontifices, quid augures, quid philosophi senes, quam multa meminerunt! […]
He plants his trees to serve a race to come,
23. […]
The scene
Cato is answering the allegation that old age removes the capacity for useful activity. He takes up the objection that memory declines, then cites Themistocles’s knowledge of names and his own knowledge of families across generations. He continues with examples of elderly people remembering practical obligations and pursuing intellectual work. The English is E. S. Shuckburgh’s translation.
What it means
Cato argues that memory depends on continued use and attention, rather than treating every loss of capacity as an unavoidable consequence of age.
Often misread
The opening objection and Cato’s qualification belong together. This is an ancient rhetorical defence of active old age, not evidence that everyone’s memory can be preserved by effort or that forgetfulness deserves blame.
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- The true teacher is a learner. Elbert Hubbard
Sources
Cite it
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On Old Age (44 BC), Chapter VII, section 21 (Cato Maior de Senectute 7.21), translated by E. S. Shuckburgh. Spoken by Marcus Porcius Cato the Elder. Checked at Quotogeny, https://quotogeny.com/q/memory-dwindles-unless-you-keep-it-in-practice/ (31 October 2026).
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Checked by people
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