charged against old age are generally due to defects of character (7).
Laelius suggests that prosperity makes Cato's declining years pleasant.
Cato admits that there may be some truth in this, but maintains that right
character alone can make old age tolerable (8, 9).

CATO'S DEFENCE OF OLD AGE 10-85.

A. Introductory argument from fact. Account of celebrated old men whose
lives till death were useful and happy 10-14

(a). Fabius Maximus 10-12
(b). Plato; (c). Isocrates; (d). Gorgias 13
(e). Ennius 14

B. Refutation of charges made against old age 15-85

_Statement of the four charges commonly made against old age_: it withdraws
men from active life, it weakens the physical powers, it takes away
capacity for enjoyment, and it involves the anticipation of death 15

A. Refutation of the first charge, that old age withdraws from active life.

(a). There are employments suited to old age which
are as necessary to the well-being of society as
those which require greater physical powers 15-20

(b). The special objection that old men have weak
memories is answered by showing that this is
due either to an original defect or to insufficient
exercise 21-22