All Things Have Their Season — The Essays of Montaigne

Montaigne compares two Catos: the Censor's public utility against the younger Cato's purer virtue, yet the elder's late Greek studies look like second childhood, not honour. All things have their seasons; even prayers mistime, as when Flaminius was seen praying apart during battle.

Eudemonidas mocked Xenocrates still lecturing in old age; Philopaemen said a king Ptolemy's age should employ arms, not drill with them. Our vice is that desires grow young again while one foot is already in the grave.

Montaigne limits his own plans to a year, shedding hopes and taking leave of places as he goes. Old age quiets worldly cares; study should fit the season, as the younger Cato read Plato the night he died with the same calm he showed when denied the praetorship and spent that evening at play.