The arrogance of age must submit to be taught by youth.

In the grand dance of time, the wisdom of age and the vigor of youth have often clashed, each believing it holds the key to the future. But the great philosopher Edmund Burke cuts through this dichotomy with his profound words: "The arrogance of age must submit to be taught by youth." These words, though simple, hold a deep truth that reverberates across the ages. Age, with its accumulation of years, often carries with it an inherent pride, a belief that its experience and knowledge should guide the world. Yet, Burke reminds us that youth, with its boundless energy, creativity, and vision, has a lesson to impart to the elders—one that must not be ignored.

The ancients were no strangers to the delicate balance between youth and age. The great Greek philosopher Plato believed in the value of youth and often wrote of how the young mind, unclouded by the limitations of tradition, could bring freshness and insight to a world bogged down by convention. In his dialogues, he presents Socrates, an elder who, though wise in age, always learned from the youth he engaged with, drawing wisdom from their questions and curiosity. Socrates knew that no one, regardless of age, should ever feel beyond teaching, for the soul of knowledge is forever evolving, and youth often holds the key to unlocking new paths of understanding.

Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, a figure whose creativity and vision spanned many disciplines—art, science, engineering—fields that were, in his time, dominated by established traditions. Yet, it was the young minds around him, those who dared to think differently, that sparked many of his greatest ideas. Da Vinci, despite his immense accomplishments, was always open to learning, always willing to be challenged by the fresh perspectives of the younger generations. In this way, he embodied the spirit of humility, acknowledging that age cannot contain the potential for growth that youth carries within it.

History is filled with examples of great leaders who, in their maturity, understood the value of youth’s insight. Winston Churchill, during the turmoil of World War II, was not only a leader who commanded from a place of deep experience, but he also embraced the ideas of younger thinkers. His relationship with the brilliant Bernard Law Montgomery, a younger officer in the British army, exemplified how the wisdom of age could combine with the vitality of youth to forge victory. Churchill’s willingness to listen, to be guided by the new thinking of younger minds, proved that even the most seasoned leaders must humble themselves before the fresh perspectives youth offers.

The lesson of Burke’s quote is not to undermine the wisdom that comes with age, but to recognize that the confidence of youth is an invaluable asset. Arrogance, when it arises from age, can become a barrier, blinding the individual to the possibilities for growth and learning that lie outside their established knowledge. Burke calls upon the elders of society to submit to the teachings of the young, for it is in the interchange between the generations that true progress is made. Just as Socrates learned from his younger disciples, and Churchill welcomed the insights of his younger officers, so too must we recognize the beauty in the exchange of knowledge between age and youth.

In our own lives, we must strive for a balance—to respect the wisdom and experience that come with age, but also to remain open to the inspiration and vision of younger generations. We must not allow ourselves to become stagnant in our beliefs or narrow in our worldview. Like Socrates, let us remain teachable, humble in the face of new ideas, and willing to listen to the voices of those who have yet to accumulate the years we have. For youth, though inexperienced, often sees the world with a clarity that age can no longer access, and it is in listening to their fresh perspectives that we grow.

The practical lesson here is simple: seek connection, understanding, and humility. Whether we are young or old, let us celebrate the wisdom of both generations and encourage an environment of learning and growth. We must embrace the challenges of new thinking and the insights that youth brings. For it is in the harmony between the confidence of youth and the wisdom of age that true progress can be achieved, where the passing of knowledge does not create division but fosters a united path toward the future.