1Does he not see further than the child perched atop the tree, the old man sitting on his rocking chair underneath it? I bet he does. The wisdom that comes with age and experience. A metaphorical expression of how knowledge can only be acquired with time and youthful recency can only aspire to such foresight.
..the assumption is that old age is a period of wisdom and awareness. The ideal elder may suffer from bodily ailments and weaknesses, but his mind is quick and sharp, and he has year of insight to dispense. Most octagenerians dont always look like that though…
Homo Deus_Yoval Noah Harare
on the other hand….
We worship youth and dispise age as if we couldn’t accord respect to young people without spitting on those whose only crime is having lived long on earth. It is appaling. We will all grow old. And no one should be dispised simply becausether are old(er). It is not radical.
Elnathan John
Juxtaposing the recency in the knowledge of youth and the wealth of experience that comes with age, you would think that the metaphorical tree and all its branches and leaves, could actually be limiting the view of the old man while the height of the tree could be an enhancement of the child’s viewpoint.
Out of touch with reality. How easy it is to get comfortable in one’s knowledge. The fine line between words of wisdom and the ramblings of senile age. But then maybe the word senile is rather harsh. Maybe ‘obsolete’ is more appropriate (or not). Out of touch. No longer in vogue or applicable.
Wisdom/Knowledge is ever-changing. What is true yesterday might not be necessarily true tomorrow or even today. It is why words like ‘Obsolete’ and ‘Upgrade’ are predominant in the vocabulary of our digital age. Knowledge is mutable. Age is the custodian of the norm. The status-quo. With youth comes change, innovation, and advancement.
It is usually futile to try to talk facts and analysis to people who are enjoying a sense of moral superiority in their ignorance.
~ Thomas Sowell, Economist, Social Theorist.
I’d best check this PC to be sure I have the latest window.
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An adage/common saying amongst the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa.
Another beautiful one. Please note that some day, you will help me write my book.