“There are three things that grow more precious with age; old wood to burn, old books to read, and old friends to enjoy.”

“Alonso of Aragon was wont to say in commendation of age, that age appears to be best in four things — old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.”

Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English philosopher, statesman, scientist, jurist, and author

“Is not old wine wholesomest, old pippins toothsomest, old wood burn brightest, old linen wash whitest? Old soldiers, sweethearts, are surest, and old lovers are soundest.”

John Webster (1578–1634) English dramatist

“I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines.”

Oliver Goldsmith book The Vicar of Wakefield

“When nations grow old,
the Arts grow cold,
And Commerce settles on every tree:
And the poor and the old
Can live upon gold,
For all are born poor.
              Aged sixty-three.”

William Blake (1757–1827) English Romantic poet and artist

“There are three faithful friends, an old wife, an old dog, and ready money.”

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) American author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, …

“Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young.”

Arthur Wing Pinero (1855–1934) British writer

“A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight.”

Robertson Davies (1913–1995) Canadian journalist, playwright, professor, critic, and novelist

“Never read any book that is not a year old.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) American philosopher, essayist, and poet

“A book is a wonderful present. Though it may grow worn, it will never grow old.”

Jane Yolen (1939) American speculative fiction and children's writer