(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]
(c). Argument from fact: instances of old men in public and in private life who till death were actively at work ... [23]-[26]
B. Rebuttal of the second charge, that old age weakens the physical powers.
(a). Old age does not desire nor require the strength of youth, because it may exert influence through other means. Instances cited to show this ... [27]-[32]