People
Old men’s prayers for death are lying prayers, in which they abuse old age and long extent of life. But when death draws near, not one is willing to die, and age no longer is a burden to them.
— Euripides
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
According to this reflection, elderly men who pray for death are being hypocrites. They complain bitterly about old age and how long they've lived, yet the instant death actually approaches, not a single one truly wants to die — suddenly the burden of their years feels bearable again.
Context reviewed