"When the devil grows old he turns hermit"

This quote by Ludovico Ariosto is a proverb that suggests that when an individual grows older, they end up being more reflective and reclusive. It indicates that as individuals age, they end up being more knowledgeable about their death and the limited nature of life, therefore they become more contemplative and less interested in the pressure of the world. The devil in this proverb is a metaphor for an individual who is used to living a life of excess and extravagance, however as they age, they end up being more aware of the consequences of their actions and so they turn away from the world and end up being a hermit. This saying is a pointer that as we age, we ought to take some time to reflect on our lives and the choices we have made, and to be conscious of our death. It likewise acts as a warning to those who live a life of excess, that they need to be aware of the effects of their actions and to be mindful of the finite nature of life.