The Stages of Life

[Judah ben Tema] used to say:

• At five years of age the study of Scripture;

• At ten the study of Mishnah;

• At thirteen subject to the commandments;

• At fifteen the study of Talmud;

• At eighteen the bridal canopy;

• At twenty for pursuit [of livelihood];

• At thirty the peak of strength;

• At forty wisdom;

• At fifty able to give counsel;

• At sixty old age;

• At seventy fullness of years;

• At eighty the age of “strength”;

• At ninety a bent body;

• At one hundred, as good as dead and gone completely out of the world.

Translated by Joshua Kulp.