open/close all folders
Film
"Let me show you how we brought the pain in my day!"
— Jetfire, Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen
Literature
"Never act incautiously when confronted by a little bald wrinkly smiling man!"
— Lu-Tze, Thief of Time, Rule One
Amaranthae Auglamyr: Do you elders know everything?
Srinshee: Enough to keep ourselves entertained.
Uldreiyn Starym: 'Tis a common mistake of the young and vigorous, to believe their elders have forgotten to see, or think, or remember things—when what we've really forgotten to do is scare younglings into respecting us, thoroughly and often.
[...]
Mythanthar: [spoiling a hastily called trial over his death] The problem with you younglings is that you're all so lazy, so impatient. You neglect to check every last detail of your spells, and so earn nasty surprises from their side effects. You don't bother to ensure that your victims—even foolish old mages—are truly dead.
Srinshee: Enough to keep ourselves entertained.
Uldreiyn Starym: 'Tis a common mistake of the young and vigorous, to believe their elders have forgotten to see, or think, or remember things—when what we've really forgotten to do is scare younglings into respecting us, thoroughly and often.
[...]
Mythanthar: [spoiling a hastily called trial over his death] The problem with you younglings is that you're all so lazy, so impatient. You neglect to check every last detail of your spells, and so earn nasty surprises from their side effects. You don't bother to ensure that your victims—even foolish old mages—are truly dead.
— Elminster In Myth Drannor by Ed Greenwood
Master Scorpion: They call you Reviled.
Reviled: Everyone knows who you are, Master Scorpion.
Master Scorpion: Every week these men try to prove that they are strong enough to inherit my skills. This week you are one of them. Spar with me.
Reviled: Everyone knows who you are, Master Scorpion.
Master Scorpion: Every week these men try to prove that they are strong enough to inherit my skills. This week you are one of them. Spar with me.
"I said I taught you everything you know, I did not teach you everything I know."
— K'zsht, Terra Trilogy
Radio
"Boot to the head."
— Tae Kwon Leep, The Frantics
Tabletop Games
"I rely not so much on the wisdom of age as on the overconfidence of youth."
Video Games
Lei Kugo: How could this happen? How could I lose to this fool four times my age?
Earthen Heart Shifu: The youths would do well not to disrespect their elders, nor underestimate their skills.
Earthen Heart Shifu: The youths would do well not to disrespect their elders, nor underestimate their skills.
— Live A Live, Imperial China chapter
"I have forgotten more of the Art than you shall... ever... know!"
— Ravel, Planescape: Torment
Web Original
A person of invariable knowledge, wisdom and perspective. They may not look much, being old decrepit men whose chief personality is "Beard" — but one thing is for sure: They can kill you eight ways from Sunday and still make it back in time for reruns of the Rockford Files. Sadly, one thing is always for sure: They will always inexplicably die or disappear right when you could actually use them.
Real Life
"I am not faster than you—you are faster than me! It's just that I move while you are still thinking of moving."
— An Old Master, to a martial arts student
"Age and treachery will triumph over youth and skill."
— Fencer's Adage
"Fear an old man in a profession where men die young."
— Unknown source
