Britain is a country where old men can contemplate the reflections of old men who have gone before them

Tom Stoppard our 73 year old playwright has said : 'Age is a high price to pay for maturity'.


What other insights can other old British men give us ?



















1. I am getting to an age when I can only enjoy the last sport left. It is called hunting for your spectacles.
~Edward Grey, died 1933

2. There is no pleasure worth forgoing just for an extra three years in the geriatric ward. ~John Mortimer, died 2009

3. Regrets are the natural property of grey hairs.

Old Time, that greatest and longest established spinner of all!.... his factory is a secret place, his work is noiseless, and his hands are mutes.
~Charles Dickens, died 1870

4. The idea is to die young as late as possible.
~Ashley Montagu, died 1999

5. There was no respect for youth when I was young, and now that I am old, there is no respect for age - I missed it coming and going.
~J.B. Priestly, died 1984

6. Is that a birthday? 'tis, alas! too clear;
'Tis but the funeral of the former year.
~Alexander Pope, died 1774

7. Youth would be an ideal state if it came a little later in life.
~Herbert Asquith, died 1928

8. We grow gray in our spirit long before we grow gray in our hair.
~Charles Lamb, died 1834

9. Grow old with me! The best is yet to be.
~Robert Browning, died 1889

10. Every man desires to live long, but no man would be old.
~Jonathan Swift, died 1745

11. Youth is a blunder; manhood a struggle; old age a regret.
~Benjamin Disraeli, died 1881

12. Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. ~Quoted by Francis Bacon, died 1626

P.S. Can you put the names to the pictures ?