Proverbs 23:22

22 Listen to your father since you are his son, and do not despise your mother because she is old.

Proverbs 23:22 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 23:22

Hearken unto thy father that begat thee
And who has a true and hearty affection for thee, and whatever he says is for thy good and welfare, which he studies and has at heart; and who therefore also has an authority over thee, and what he enjoins ought to be strictly regarded; and, having lived longer in the world, must be thought to have a larger experience and knowledge of things, and therefore should be hearkened unto; and despise not thy mother when she is old;
despise not her counsels, instructions, and advice, though she is old; and because she is so, do not reject them as old wives' fables, or as the silly talk of an old woman, as young men are too apt to do.

Proverbs 23:22 In-Context

20 Do not associate with those who drink too much wine, with those who eat too much meat,

21 because both a drunk and a glutton will become poor. Drowsiness will dress a person in rags.

22 Listen to your father since you are his son, and do not despise your mother because she is old.

23 Buy truth (and do not sell it), [that is,] buy wisdom, discipline, and understanding.

24 A righteous person's father will certainly rejoice. Someone who has a wise son will enjoy him.