"Old age is, so to speak, the sanctuary of ills: they all take refuge in it"

Antiphanes’ observation that "old age is, so to speak, the sanctuary of ills: they all take refuge in it" presents a profound reflection on the human experience of aging. At its core, the quotation evokes the inevitability with which the hardships and maladies of life seem to converge upon the later stages of existence. The phrase "sanctuary of ills" employs a rich metaphor: a sanctuary, typically a place of protection or shelter, here becomes a haven not for the old themselves, but for the burdens and afflictions that spare youth yet permeate advanced years. Illness, frailty, sorrow, and the weariness collected over a lifetime, these are personified as seeking shelter within old age, finding in it a natural and welcoming abode.

This view captures both the universality and the resignation associated with the aging process. Throughout much of life, vigor and resilience seem to ward off many adversities; youth is marked by quick recovery, physical energy, and optimism. Yet, time inevitably erodes those defences. Physical decline, chronic ailments, and existential reckonings find their opportunity as age advances. The metaphor "take refuge" underscores the sense that these ills, perhaps kept at bay through earlier years of vitality, now arrive to stay, finding in the aging body and mind a residence.

Yet, beneath the pessimism, there is also a subtle wisdom. By characterizing old age as a culmination rather than a sudden affliction, Antiphanes gently reminds us that suffering and challenges are intrinsic elements of the human journey. Old age does not usher in new misfortunes so much as it gathers together the consequences, memories, and marks of a life fully lived. Thus, his words not only emphasize the burdens of aging, but also point to the importance of acceptance, compassion, and preparation as we confront the sanctuaries where the ills of life inevitably seek shelter.