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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.
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