Political Quotes

Cicero: Young men are more frequently wanton and dissolute than old men; but yet, as it is not all young men that are so, but…

On the record44 BC
Young men are more frequently wanton and dissolute than old men; but yet, as it is not all young men that are so, but the bad set among them, even so senile folly--usually called imbecility--applies to old men of unsound character, not to all.
Said by
Cicero

Editor's note · Context

Cicero draws a parallel between the character flaws found in some young men and the "senile folly" observed in some old men, attributing both to individual character rather than age itself.

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