A man, 20 years of age, another man, 40 years of age

The young man in his inexperience asks the 40 year old man
"You've lived twice my life, whats your advice?"
The older man pauses
Reflecting on his own life, in hindsight..
He says:

It is said by many
The best teacher is experience
This statement is true, but experience
Does not equate to intelligence, or intellect
As both do not equate to experience
With every word from spoken by a man in his youth,
It is received by the senior with a grain of salt
Though in reality, they are both adults



What distinguishes a person whos lived longer?
Is years of learning beneficial if they accomplish little?
A decade spent listless watching days blend together
Carrys more wisdom, more growth than 5 years of struggle?


To believe this I refuse.

Adults of seniority are not always mature,
They bicker and argue over frivolous things.
Talking over the other,
Neither letting either get a word in edgewise.
Their bodies mature, years experienced,
Yet arrested development has left them
Adult children.

The fresh face child who endures struggle
And is given responsibility,
Experiences his growth as man
A man who never has had to struggle and grow
Is stuck in his adolescenc