# They Discourse with an Old Man explained — The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia

> Chapter companion for The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson.

## What happens

The party encounters an old sage during an evening walk along the Nile. He speaks candidly about the disappointments of old age, the loss of novelty, and the vanity of human wishes, leaving the group sobered. Rasselas, Nekayah, and Pekuah each react differently, while Imlac refrains from deepening their melancholy.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Vanity of Human Wishes

The old man's speech underscores the futility of seeking lasting satisfaction in praise, riches, or achievement.

### The Inevitability of Suffering

Age brings loss, regret, and the recognition that happiness is elusive at every stage of life.

### The Limits of Reason and Imagination

The old man's reason cannot prevent his sorrow; the young characters' imaginations cannot grasp the reality of decline.

## Character check-ins

### Rasselas

Consoles himself that if age can be calm, youth may be happy.

### Imlac

Smiles at the companions' self-comfort; recalls his own youthful confidence.

### Nekayah

Suspects the old man is querulous and malignant, repressing youthful hopes.

### Pekuah

Conjectures the man is older than he appears or has been unfortunate.

### The Old Man

A sage who laments the emptiness of praise, the loss of loved ones, and unfulfilled designs.

## Key lines

> Praise is to an old man an empty sound. I have neither mother to be delighted with the reputation of her son, nor wife to partake the honours of her husband.

The old man says that praise means nothing to him because he has no family left to share in his glory.

_Highlights the isolation and futility of seeking honor in old age._

> I look round, and see what I remember to have seen in happier days. I rest against a tree, and consider that in the same shade I once disputed upon the annual overflow of the Nile with a friend who is now silent in the grave.

Everything the old man sees reminds him of happier times and of friends who have died.

_Emphasizes the theme of loss and the passage of time._

> My mind is burdened with no heavy crime, and therefore I compose myself to tranquillity; endeavour to abstract my thoughts from hopes and cares which, though reason knows them to be vain, still try to keep their old possession of the heart.

Though he has no great sins, he still struggles to let go of hopes and worries that reason tells him are pointless.

_Illustrates the tension between reason and lingering emotion._

## Links

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