Seniorcenters.com is a free resource helping seniors and senior centers across America. Learn about our editorial processes.
Throughout history, societies across the globe have revered the wisdom that comes with old age. Cultures, religions, and philosophies have long acknowledged the value of the elderly, seeing them as custodians of knowledge and experience. This article explores a collection of proverbs and quotations about old age and wisdom from different cultures, highlighting the universal respect for the insights of the aged.
| Original Quote | English Translation | Culture/Origin |
|---|---|---|
| “The older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune.” | Irish Proverb | |
| “年寄りの知恵” (Toshiyori no chie) | “The wisdom of the elderly.” | Japanese |
| “Old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read.” | English Proverb | |
| “Más vale saber que tener.” | “Knowledge is better than wealth.” | Spanish Proverb |
| “Старый друг лучше новых двух.” | “An old friend is better than two new ones.” | Russian Proverb |
| “Age wrinkles the body; quitting wrinkles the soul.” | Douglas MacArthur | |
| “An old ox plows a straight furrow.” | Dutch Proverb | |
| “老马识途” (Lǎo mǎ shí tú) | “An old horse knows the way.” | Chinese Proverb |
| “He who has elders in his house is like one who owns a treasure.” | African Proverb | |
| “Vieux amis et vieux vins sont les meilleurs.” | “Old friends and old wines are the best.” | French Proverb |
| “Age is honorable and youth is noble.” | Irish Proverb | |
| “Wisdom does not come overnight.” | Somali Proverb | |
| “歳月人を待たず” (Saigetsu hito o matazu) | “Time and tide wait for no man.” | Japanese Proverb |
| “The evening crowns the day.” | Latin Proverb | |
| “Quando a gente envelhece, tudo fica longe.” | “When we get old, everything becomes distant.” | Brazilian Proverb |
| “Old age is the crown of life.” | German Proverb | |
| “लाठी के सहारे चलना पड़ता है।” | “One has to walk with a stick in old age.” | Hindi Proverb |
| “Old foxes need no tutors.” | German Proverb | |
| “As the old cock crows, so does the young.” | Scottish Proverb | |
| “Quando cessa la giovinezza, inizia la saggezza.” | “When youth ends, wisdom begins.” | Italian Proverb |
| “An old lion still has teeth.” | African Proverb | |
| “Old age is a hundred headaches.” | Greek Proverb | |
| “Senectus ipsa est morbus.” | “Old age itself is a disease.” | Latin Proverb |
| “La experiencia es madre de la ciencia.” | “Experience is the mother of science.” | Spanish Proverb |
| “Old age is not a burden, but a privilege.” | English Saying | |
| “Με τα χρόνια έρχεται η σοφία.” | “With the years comes wisdom.” | Greek Proverb |
| “An old broom knows the dirty corners best.” | Jamaican Proverb | |
| “老人の言葉は神の言葉” (Rōjin no kotoba wa kami no kotoba) | “The words of the elderly are the words of the gods.” | Japanese Proverb |
| “Wisdom comes with winters.” | Oscar Wilde | |
| “You can’t put an old head on young shoulders.” | Australian Proverb | |
| “The eyes of the elderly see more than the ears of the young hear.” | Native American Proverb | |
| “Stari vuk dlaku menja, ćud nikada.” | “An old wolf changes his fur but not his nature.” | Serbian Proverb |
| “Old age is not as honorable as death, but most people want it.” | Crow Native American Proverb | |
| “An old banana leaf was once young and green.” | Nigerian Proverb | |
| “Moss doesn’t cling to a rolling stone, but it enriches a stationary one.” | African Proverb | |
| “An elderly person is a treasure of stories.” | Turkish Proverb | |
| “As the tree grows, so shall it bear fruit.” | Filipino Proverb | |
| “Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm.” | “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” | German Proverb |
| “Age is a high price to pay for maturity.” | Tom Stoppard | |
| “岁月不饶人” (Suìyuè bù ráo rén) | “Time and tide wait for no man.” | Chinese Proverb |
| “An old cat likes young mice.” | English Proverb | |
| “De ouderdom komt met gebreken.” | “Old age comes with infirmities.” | Dutch Proverb |
| “An old friend met in a far country is like rain after a drought.” | Chinese Proverb | |
| “The old horse will know the way.” | Japanese Proverb | |
| “He who plants a garden plants happiness.” | Chinese Proverb | |
| “Le vieux éléphant sait où trouver de l’eau.” | “The old elephant knows where to find water.” | African Proverb |
These proverbs and quotations illustrate a spectrum of perspectives on old age and wisdom. While many cultures honor the elderly for their experience and knowledge, others recognize the challenges that come with aging. Across different societies and religions, elders are often seen as guides, offering invaluable insights to younger generations.
Despite cultural differences, the reverence for wisdom and age is a common thread in human society. These sayings remind us of the enduring value of experience and the importance of honoring those who have walked the path before us. By listening to and learning from our elders, we not only pay respect but also enrich our own lives with their accumulated insights.
Browse thousands of Senior Centers from around America. Senior Centers are an integral part of society and are the center of life for many seniors and aging adults.
Find a Senior Center which fits your needs using our search feature and keep up to date on all the latest news.
Click the icon to Ask Anything!
Advertisers are not endorsed by SeniorCenters.com or any senior center listed.
This site is not endorsed by or affiliated with any senior center or organization listed.
Just one helpful email per month – no clutter, just value.
