Katon Stariji ili O starosti

The work Cato the Elder or On Old Age is one of Cicero's most famous philosophical writings from the so-called “last period” (44 BC). It is written in the form of a dialogue in which the 84-year-old Marcus Porcius Cato the Elder (Cato Maior) speaks to his younger friends Scipio Aemilianus and Laelius. Cicero put his ideas about old age into the mouth of a distinguished Roman statesman in order to give them greater authority and moral weight.

The main theme is the defense of old age against the usual accusations: that it is difficult, poor in bodily pleasures, close to death and useless. Cato (or Cicero) argues the opposite — old age brings wisdom, peace of mind, freedom from passions, the opportunity for intellectual work and respect in society. The work is optimistic and practical: it advises an active life, cultivating the mind, engaging in agriculture, literature and politics, and preparing for death with dignity. One of the most famous quotes is that “the life of an old man is not weak, but mature”.

The Croatian edition from 1911 is a classic school and popular translation. It was translated by Adolf Tkalčević, a famous philologist and translator from Latin, and the translation was linguistically modernized by Milan Žepić. The booklet is very short, intended for a wider audience and school use during the Austro-Hungarian era. The style of the translation is classical, clear and dignified, typical of Croatian philologists from the early 20th century.

In a broader context, this work belongs to Cicero's ethical writings (De senectute, De amicitia, De officiis), written in a time of political impotence after Caesar's assassination. Cicero wanted to console himself and his contemporaries with it, and at the same time promote the Stoic-Roman ideal of dignified old age. The work was extremely popular in European literature and humanism throughout the centuries — it was read and praised by Petrarch, Voltaire and many others.

In Croatian culture, this translation testifies to the strong classical tradition and the importance of the Latin language in education and intellectual life. Today it is considered an antiquarian rarity, and the work is still read as a classic text about aging, wisdom and accepting the end of life. It represents one of the most beautiful and most comforting writings of ancient philosophy.