From the earliest times the old have rubbed it into the young that they are wiser than they, and before the young had discovered what nonsense this was they were old too, and it profited them to carry on the imposture.

Summary

This quote highlights the perpetuation of a common prejudice observed throughout history - the belief held by the older generation that they are wiser than the younger generation. It suggests that this mindset is often instilled in youth from a young age, and by the time they reach old age themselves, they continue to maintain this belief to their advantage. The quote implies that this cycle of delusion persists because it benefits both the older generation, who assert their superiority, and the young, who eventually conform and perpetuate the false notion of inherent wisdom with age.

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