But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age.
Read Chapter 4
Ambrose of Milan
AD 397
Who would deny that adolescence and, in the beginning, youth itself, churn under the delusion of the various passions? Or that when a more mature age arrives, inasmuch as the season of youthful lusts fades away, it gives way to tranquility, and the boat of the exhausted soul arrives at quiet ports? The violent movements of our adolescence, therefore, are calmed in the tranquil season of old age. - "Cain and Abel 1.3.11"
The righteous person lives a happy old age. It does not say "long" but "happy," because the righteous person grows old happily. This is not the case, however, for any of the godless, even if they were to live longer than the oldest stag. In fact, long life is common to both the wise and fools. To live well, however, belongs to the wise person, whose "old age is venerated and for whom advanced age is a blameless life." It also says that "it is not calculated by the number of years" or by gray hair but by wisdom. Therefore, one who has been wise ages well. - "On Abraham 2.9.64"
The Christian who has lived in the fear of God, at whatever age he dies, is not swept away by a bitter and untimely death but crosses over supported by a maturity approved by God. Indeed, in the book of Wisdom we read, "Old age is not honored for length of time or measured by number of years. Wisdom, rather, is a person"s gray hair, and a blameless life is old age. Having become dear to God, this one was loved by him." - "Letters 2.7.4"
If it is said of the righteous person and of the member of the church, "Gray hair is a person"s wisdom," why is it not said of the heretic"s iniquity, "A person"s gray hair is his folly"? Of this old age Daniel said to the old man, "You have grown old in evil." Therefore, in the book of the Shepherd (if anyone is willing to accept that it be read), the church appears to Hermas first with gray hair, then as a young woman and a bride, with ornate hair. - "Commentary on Hosea 2.7.8.10"
