"That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously"

This quote by Richard Brinsley Sheridan talks to the importance of living a virtuous life. He suggests that a life lived without virtue is a life not completely lived, which those who have actually lived long and well are those who have lived virtuously. He suggests that a life without virtue is a life that ends prematurely, and that the only way to genuinely live a long life is to live a life of virtue. He suggests that the memories of those who have lived virtuously will be filled with the benefits they have actually conferred on others, while those who have actually not lived virtuously will have no such memories. This quote motivates us to live a life of virtue, as it is the only method to really live a long and meaningful life.