Young men thinks old men fooles, but old men knoweth well, Yong men are fooles.
[1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis O2V]
Wise was that saying of Doctor Medcalfe: You Yong men do thinke vs olde men to be fooles, but we olde men do know that you yong men are fooles.
[1605 W. Camden Remains concerning Britain 221]
Young folks think old folks to be fools; but old folks know young folks to be fools.
[1790 R. Tyler Contrast v. ii.]
‘Young folks always think old ones fools, they say.’ ‘Finish the adage, Sir, that old folks know young ones to be so, and then agree with me that it is a saying founded on prejudice.’
[1850 F. E. Smedley Frank Fairlegh xxx.]
I remember a saying of my Great Aunt Fanny's. I was sixteen at the time and thought it particularly foolish. ‥She used to say, ‘The young people think the old people are fools—but the old people know the young people are fools!’
[1930 A. Christie Murder at Vicarage xxxi.]
Related to: fools; old age; youth
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
