Example of Maximus: his greatness in politics, war, and learning; several more examples, Greek and Roman, lead Cato (as usual) to himself

Four Causes for complaint about old age

1. Withdrawal from activity

Not true: examples of Appius and Cato, various Greeks, poets and philosophers, Roman farmers and so inevitably back to Cato

2. Loss of bodily vigor

Strength in moderation is enough: examples of Milo, Cyrus, Metellus, Nestor -- the link to the past in the Iliad, Cato -- the Nestor in this dialogue

3. Reduction of pleasure

Again, moderation is the thing to strive for; pleasure (in excess) is an evil; therefore no loss; pleasure is a good, but simple pleasures are not so important that you have to be in the thick of them; and so back to Cato and agriculture; metaphor of the journey (cf. beginning and the final trip)

4. Old Age is near Death

Not just old age is near death; death is no cause for lament; greater men have died before you (typical Roman consolation); immortality of the soul: what philosophy teaches