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

Edmund Burke’s words emphasize the dynamic relationship between generations, acknowledging that experience is not the exclusive domain of the old, nor is wisdom an automatic consequence of years. Age often brings with it a sense of authority, shaped by years of living, learning, and adapting. This accumulated experience, however, can sometimes calcify into arrogance, a belief that age alone entitles one to superior judgment or insight. Such arrogance risks closing the mind, making it impervious to new perspectives, especially those originating from the less experienced.

Youth, for its part, is often associated with openness, innovation, and a fresh vision unburdened by the routines and biases that time may enforce. Young people question norms, propose bold ideas, and embrace change with energy and immediacy. Their lack of longstanding assumptions allows them to see possibilities and solutions that may escape those entrenched in tradition. In any healthy society or community, these qualities are not merely valuable; they are essential. Progress often requires challenging the status quo and adapting to new realities, tasks for which the courage and adaptability of youth are particularly well-suited.

Burke’s insight serves as a warning against the complacency that can come with age. To truly grow and remain relevant, one must recognize that wisdom is not static or confined to a single group. Lifelong learning demands humility, the willingness to listen, and readiness to change one’s views in the light of new evidence or perspectives. Elder generations who embrace the lessons offered by youth foster environments where ideas can be tested, refined, and improved. Thus, true leadership is not about holding onto authority but about nurturing and being invigorated by the curiosity, creativity, and questioning spirit of those who follow. By doing so, the old empower the young, and in return, keep themselves ever renewing, vibrant, and wise.