Old men are children for a second time.

The line expresses a common ancient observation about aging: as physical strength and independence decline, the elderly can come to resemble children in vulnerability, dependence on caregivers, and sometimes in emotional volatility or forgetfulness. In Aristophanic comedy, such a sentiment would typically serve satirical ends—puncturing pretensions of dignity and reminding audiences that social status cannot ultimately resist the body’s lifecycle. The idea also carries a moral undertone: it invites patience and compassion toward old age, while warning that human powers are temporary and cyclical.