伯特兰·罗素/Bertrand Russell
Psychologically there are two dangers to be guarded against in old a ge.One of these is undue absorption in the past.It does not do to live in memories,in regrets for the good old days,or in sadness about frien ds 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 eas y;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 keener.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 su cking vigour from its vitality.When your children are grown up they wan t to live their own lives,and if you continue to be as interested in th em as you were when they were young,you are likely to become a burden t o them,unless they are unusually callous.
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 unduly 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 difficult.
I think that a successful old age is easiest for those who have stro ng impersonal interests involving appropriate activities.It is in this sphere that long experience is really fruitful,and it is in this sphere that the wisdom born of experience can be exercised without being oppres sive.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 impe rsonal interests,you may find that your life will be empty unless you c oncern yourself with your children and grandchildren.In that case you must realize that while you can still render them material services,such as making them an allowance or knitting them jumpers,you must not expec t that they will enjoy your company.