It is shameful for a young man to question an old one. –Homer

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

A young man questioning an old one called shameful gives age-based deference priority over inquiry. The supplied wording attributes the statement to Homer.

What the words are saying

The anthology attribution is unverified here. A critical reading rejects age or gender as a guarantee of correctness or a reason to silence questions. Experience can be valuable, and respectful inquiry can also reveal errors. People of different ages retain equal dignity and the right to raise concerns.

Everyday example

Someone asks an experienced person for reasons without treating a difference in age as permission for humiliation.

When to use it

Use it critically to examine deference and the right to question.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.