Gender Readings. Top Ten. Ренц Т.Г - 72 стр.

that it is good for health, though in actual fact the things I like doing
are mostly wholesome.
      Psychologically there are two dangers to be guarded against in
old age. One of these is too great an absorption in the past. One should
not live in memories, in regrets for the good old days, or in sadness
about friends who are dead. One’s thoughts must be directed to the
future, and to things about which there is something to be done. This
is not always easy, one’s own past is a gradually increasing weight. It is
easy to think to oneself that one’s emotions used to be more vivid
than they are, and one’s mind more keen. If this is true it should be
forgotten, and if it is forgotten it will probably not be true.
      The other thing to be avoided is clinging to youth in the hope
of finding strength in its vitality. When your children are grown up
they want to live their own lives, and if you continue to be as
interested in them as you were when they were young, you are likely
to become a burden to them, unless they are unusually insensible. I do
not mean that one should be without interest in them, but one’s
interest should be contemplative and, if possible, philanthropic, but
not too emotional. Animals become indifferent to their young as soon
as their young can look after themselves, but human beings, owing
to the length of infancy, find this less easy.
      I think that a successful old age is easiest for those who have
strong impersonal interests leading to suitable activities. It is in this
sphere that long experience is really fruitful, and that the wisdom
born of experience can be used without becoming a burden. It is no use
telling grown-up children not to make mistakes, both because they
will not believe you, and because mistakes are an essential part of
education. But if you are one of those who are incapable of impersonal
interests, you may find that your life will be empty unless you
concern yourself with your children and grandchildren. In that case
you must realise that while you can still help them in material ways,
as by making them an allowance or knitting them jumpers, you must
not expect that they will enjoy your company. Some old people are
troubled by the fear of death. In the young there is a justification for
this feeling. Young men who have reason to fear that they will be
killed in battle may justifiably feel bitter in the thought that they have
been cheated of the best things that life has to offer. But in an old man
who has known human joys and sorrows, and has done whatever
work it was in him to do, the fear of death is somewhat ignoble. The

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