Proverbs 20:29 - Exposition

The glory of young men is their strength. That which makes the ornament ( tiphereth ) of youth is unimpaired strength and vigour, which can only be attained by due exercise combined with self-control. The moralist ( Ecclesiastes 11:9 ) bids the young man rejoice in his youth, and let his heart cheer him in those happy days, but at the same time remember that he is responsible for the use which he makes of his powers and faculties, for for all these things God will bring him to judgment. The Greek gives a needful warning—

΄έμνησο νέος ἂν ὡς γέρων ἔσῃ ποτέ

"In youth remember thou wilt soon be old."

Septuagint, "Wisdom is an ornament to young men." But koach is bodily, not mental, power. The beauty of old men is the grey head ( Proverbs 16:31 ). That which gives an honorable look to old age is the hoary head, which suggests wisdom and experience (comp. Ecclesiasticus 25:3-6). On the other hand, the Greek gnomist warns—

πολιὰ χρόνου μήνυσις οὐ φρονήσεως .

"Grey hairs not wisdom indicate, but age."