Here is Benjamin Franklin's advice to a young man on the subject some
260 years ago:

Benjamin Franklin, Advice to a Young Man on the Choice of a Mistress
(1745).

June 25, 1745

My dear Friend,

I know of no Medicine fit to diminish the violent natural
Inclinations you mention; and if I did, I think I should not
communicate it to you. Marriage is the proper Remedy. It is the most
natural State of Man, and therefore the State in which you are most
likely to find solid Happiness. Your Reasons against entering into it
at present, appear to me not well-founded. The circumstantial
Advantages you have in View by postponing it, are not only uncertain,
but they are small in comparison with that of the Thing itself, the
being married and settled. It is the Man and Woman united that make
the compleat human Being. Separate, she wants his Force of Body and
Strength of Reason; he, her Softness, Sensibility and acute
Discernment. Together they are more likely to succeed in the World. A
single Man has not nearly the Value he would have in that State of
Union. He is an incomplete Animal. He resembles the odd Half of a
Pair of Scissars. If you get a prudent healthy Wife, your Industry in
your Profession, with her good Economy, will be a Fortune sufficient.

But if you will not take this Counsel, and persist in thinking a
Commerce with the Sex inevitable, then I repeat my former Advice,
that in all your Amours you should prefer old Women to young ones.
You call this a Paradox, and demand my Reasons. They are these:

1. Because as they have more Knowledge of the World and their Minds
are better stor'd with Observations, their Conversation is more
improving and more lastingly agreeable.

2. Because when Women cease to be handsome, they study to be good. To
maintain their Influence over Men, they supply the Diminution of
Beauty by an Augmentation of Utility. They learn to do 1000 Services
small and great, and are the most tender and useful of all Friends
when you are sick. Thus they continue amiable. And hence there is
hardly such a thing to be found as an old Woman who is not a good
Woman.

3. Because there is no hazard of Children, which irregularly produc'd
may be attended with much Inconvenience.

4. Because thro' more Experience, they are more prudent and discreet
in conducting an Intrigue to prevent Suspicion. The Commerce with
them is therefore safer with regard to your Reputation. And with
regard to theirs, if the Affair should happen to be known,
considerate People might be rather inclin'd to excuse an old Woman
who would kindly take care of a young Man, form his Manners by her
good Counsels, and prevent his ruining his Health and Fortune among
mercenary Prostitutes.

5. Because in every Animal that walks upright, the Deficiency of the
Fluids that fill the Muscles appears first in the highest Part: The
Face first grows lank and wrinkled; then the Neck; then the Breast
and Arms; the lower Parts continuing to the last as plump as ever: So
that covering all above with a Basket, and regarding only what is
below the Girdle, it is impossible of two Women to know an old from a
young one. And as in the dark all Cats are grey, the Pleasure of
corporal Enjoyment with an old Woman is at least equal, and
frequently superior, every Knack being by Practice capable of
Improvement.

6. Because the Sin is less. The debauching a Virgin may be her Ruin,
and make her for Life unhappy.

7. Because the Compunction is less. The having made a young Girl
miserable may give you frequent bitter Reflections; none of which can
attend the making an old Woman happy.

8thly and Lastly They are so grateful!!

Thus much for my Paradox. But still I advise you to marry directly;
being sincerely Your affectionate Friend.

Outstanding advice, IMHO, Thomas

I remember reading that in college. My English professor was an old horndog, as (obviously) was good old Benjamin.

i think that is great, good old ben, didn't he have some illegitimate children also, which makes number 3 a bit more personal from his perspective. anyway, i agree with his points but nothing beats a 20 year old, despite his opinion regarding number 5, but then again, in brasil, we don't have to worry about number 6 with the girls i go with, lol and this might have changed his opinion somewhat.

Thanks a bunch Alecjammer, great stuff. Boy could those guys write well in those days; and to write something so timeless and so relevant is amazing.

Does this explane why all of my lady friends always get so excited when they see a picture of Ben Franklin?