From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life

by Arthur C. Brooks

Here is the reality: in practically every high-skill profession, decline sets in sometime between one’s late thirties and early fifties.

I had no concept of myself apart from “great French horn player.” I would rather have died than given up.

You can accept that what got you to this point won’t work to get you into the future—that you need to build some new strengths and skills.

Figure 2. Fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence curves

Notably, there is teaching, which once again requires verbal skill and a gift for explaining large amounts of accumulated information. No wonder this field favors the old over the young.

Cicero believed three things about older age. First, that it should be dedicated to service, not goofing off. Second, our greatest gift later in life is wisdom, in which learning and thought create a worldview that can enrich others. Third, our natural ability at this point is counsel: mentoring, advising, and teaching others, in a way that does not amass worldly rewards of money, power, or prestige.

“Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.”[*]