"The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions"

This quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes speaks to the wisdom that features age. The young man in the quote is likely referring to somebody who is inexperienced and still discovering the guidelines of life. He might be ignorant and rigid in his thinking, believing that the rules are absolute and ought to never ever be broken. On the other hand, the old man is likely referring to somebody who has lived a long life and has actually seen the world. He has experienced the exceptions to the rules and knows that sometimes it is needed to break them in order to achieve a greater good. This quote is a tip that knowledge features age which it is important to be open to learning from those who have more experience.