He who does not hear advice does not grow old

The saying that goes "He who does not hear advice does not grow old" first warns that a person without humility to consider the advice of someone sensible, is exposed to the failure of his goal, whatever the scope. Second, it teaches that it is wise to know how to listen, and that this guarantees the proper development of life. There are variations of the saying like "He who does not hear advice does not grow old."

It is used as a warning to someone who is arrogant or disinterested before the advice of others. Therefore, it usually comes after the act of counseling and seldom before. The counselor understands that the person is acting against his own good and is able to predict that his behavior will not bring him good results. Therefore, seeing that the stubbornness of the advised, encourages him to think about his future.

There are several positive values ​​collected in this saying. First of all, the saying values ​​the experience of the counselor, who has already experienced similar situations and has overcome them or has learned from them.

Another value that it tries to promote is humility, which is manifested in the willingness to listen, evaluate the advice received and put it into practice when necessary. Finally, the saying builds with this the principles of wisdom, whose symbolic image is old age, "getting old."

We must remember that in ancient times, the elderly were considered wise, since the average life span was very short. It was believed that reaching old age was a sign of having known how to live, both in terms of accumulated experience, as well as in spiritual and physical terms.

Thus, the saying not only points in the direction of prolonging life and obtaining success, but it is a symbolic image that only by listening can one become wise. Wisdom, therefore, brings together the elements implicit in the saying: humility and a willingness to listen.

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