Now that I am sixty, I see why the idea of elder wisdom has

Hearken, children of the ages, to the reflective words of John Updike, who confided: “Now that I am sixty, I see why the idea of elder wisdom has passed from currency.” In this utterance lies the solemn truth of time, perception, and the fleeting regard for experience. As the years advance, the elders, once revered for their insight and counsel, find that their wisdom is often overlooked, undervalued, or dismissed by the vigor and ambition of youth. The currency of guidance, once abundant and honored, wanes in the face of new priorities and shifting values.

Updike speaks to the paradox of age and recognition. Those who have traversed the long journey of life carry knowledge forged in struggle, reflection, and triumph; yet the world often esteems speed, novelty, and the appearance of success over the depth of understanding. Elder wisdom, though profound, is no longer held as the standard of judgment, and the lessons of time lose their weight in the marketplace of thought.

Consider the life of Socrates, who in his later years walked the streets of Athens, seeking to impart the truths gleaned from a lifetime of inquiry. Though he possessed profound insight, many in his city disregarded his counsel, favoring youthful bravado and conventional opinion. Even the wisest are not always heeded, and Updike’s observation mirrors this ancient lament: the authority of age and experience may fade even while its substance remains unassailable.

Yet within this reflection lies guidance for both the aged and the young. To those who have lived, there is the quiet charge to continue sharing their insight, even when it is unrecognized, for the seeds sown in thought may bear fruit long after the moment has passed. And to the young, there is the lesson of humility: to value the perspectives of those who have walked paths previously trodden, for in their counsel lies both caution and illumination.

Updike’s words remind us that the passage of time brings both clarity and disenchantment. Elder wisdom, though often undervalued, carries truths that cannot be gained through fleeting experience alone. The insight of decades is a treasure, rich with understanding of human nature, the world, and the subtle currents that shape lives and communities.

Carry this teaching, children of generations yet to come: honor those who have walked before you, for wisdom, though out of fashion, remains eternal. Listen to the counsel of elders, weigh their experience, and allow their understanding to guide your steps. For in valuing their insight, you may reclaim a currency far richer than that which the world now counts: the enduring wealth of discernment, prudence, and truth.