98. There are young persons who desire quickly to
attain to old age, so as no longer to be subject to the will of their
elders; and there are also old men who would wish if they could to
return again to youth. And I approve of neither desire, for the
young, disdainful of things present, as it were ungratefully desire a
change in their way of living, the old wish for its lengthening,
whereas youth can grow old in character, and old age grow green with
action. For it is discipline as much as age which brings
amendment of character. How much the more then ought we to raise
our hopes to the kingdom of God, where will be newness of life, and
where will be a change of grace not of age!