Skip to main content

On Aging – Part II, Humor

Humor is a near unique aspect of humans that leaves untouched just about every endeavor, every aspiration, and every desperation we have.  Not the least of these is aging.  While in Part I of this note on aging we reflected on the majesty and melancholy of aging, here we look at the humor.  Most speak to some aspect of youth when viewed from the lens of age.  Each speaks for itself, comments are not needed.   There are hundreds of published quotes online and in print.  Selected here are some of the very funny ones from notable people - all current graduates of that select club. 

 

  •     The older I get, the better I was. - Henry Louis Mencken
  •     Do not regret growing old; many are denied the privilege. - Ogden Nash
  •     Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age. - Victor Hugo 
  •     It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone. - Andy Rooney 
  •  You don't stop laughing when you grow old; you grow old when you stop laughing. - George Bernard Shaw
  •  As they say, when the age is in, the wit is out.  Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing (3.5.31-2)
  •  Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. - Francis Bacon
  •  When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the things that never happened. It is sad to go to pieces like this but we all have to do it. - Mark Twain
  •  I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything till noon. That’s when it’s time for my nap.- Bob Hope
  •  Nice to be here! At my age it’s nice to be anywhere. - George Burns
  •  Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough. - Groucho Marx
  • This one is sometimes attributed to George Burns (and is mostly for guys)  
    •  First you forget names.
    • Then you forget faces.  
    •  Then you forget to zip up. 
    •  Then you forget to zip down.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

UNCERTAINTY IS CERTAIN

  Uncertainty is Certain G. Donald Allen 12/12/2024 1.       Introduction . This short essay is about uncertainty in people from both secular and nonsecular viewpoints. One point that will emerge is that randomly based uncertainty can be a driver for religious structure. Many groups facing uncertainty about their future are deeply religious or rely on faith as a source of comfort, resilience, and guidance. The intersection of uncertainty and religiosity often stems from the human need to find meaning, hope, and stability in the face of unpredictable or challenging circumstances. We first take up the connections of uncertainty to religion for the first real profession, farming, noting that hunting has many similar uncertainties. Below are groups that commonly lean on religious beliefs amidst uncertainty.   This short essay is a follow-up to a previous piece on certainty (https://used-ideas.blogspot.com/2024/12/certainty-is-also-emotion.html). U...

Problem Solving? Then Find Those Gaps

  Problem Solving - Finding Gaps 12/28/2024 Introduction. Solving complex problems often arises from the presence of gaps in knowledge, resources, understanding, or perspectives. These gaps introduce uncertainty, ambiguity, or constraints, making solutions difficult to achieve. Below, we explore the primary types of gaps that complicate problem-solving and their implications. Many are of the technical, informational, theoretical, and social nature. You may discover some of these gaps are also sources of uncertainty in problem-solving, in that they supply us with another list of things that can go wrong based on something missing. Gaps also form a type of impossible problem, that will be discussed in a later chapter. Finally, this essay is about all problems and solutions, not just those of science. Contents Comprehension Gaps Consistency Gaps Solution-Type Gaps Invisible Gaps   Knowledge and Evidence Gaps   Methodological and Technological Gaps Ethical and Cult...

CERTAINTY IS ALSO AN EMOTION

  Certainty is also a Feeling Certainty is often viewed as a mental state tied to knowledge and confidence, but it also functions as a feeling with distinct emotional and physiological components. While it arises from cognitive processes, certainty also has a subjective and emotional quality that makes it more than just a rational judgment. It provides a sense of assurance and security that shapes human experience in profound ways. Emotional Dimension . At its core, certainty evokes emotions that influence how we perceive and interact with the world. When someone feels certain, they often experience relief, comfort, or empowerment. These emotions are particularly strong when uncertainty or doubt is resolved, offering a sense of closure. For example, solving a complex problem or having a belief validated by evidence brings not just intellectual satisfaction but also emotional reassurance. Subjectivity. Certainty is inherently personal and subjective. It depends on individual...