After a career-long interest in the history of aging, he began his formal study of wisdom in his 40s as the result of a professional roadblock, one of a series he was experiencing. He decided to put the project aside for a time and looked around for something else to study. A post-doctoral student looking for a mentor encouraged him to consider the topic of wisdom. He did so, quickly finished his book, then returned to the study of wisdom. Sort of like eating the peas before you can hit the ice cream.
Old age holds out promises as well as threats.
Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they refine it. A long moment of silence followed his short presentation. Then everyone jumped in. That's certainly not a New Age response. For these Holy Fools, too, wisdom is in the heart not the head.