Knowing Better, Doing Worse: The Paradox of Age and Wisdom

We often assume that with age comes wisdom. The gray hairs and wrinkles of the elderly are seen as badges of experience, proof that they’ve learned life’s lessons and know right from wrong. But what happens when those who should know better still choose wrong over right? Why do people with decades of experience sometimes act in ways that defy common sense and morality?

Think of it this way: no one expects a child to put food in their nose instead of their mouth. If a child does it, we might laugh or gently correct them. After all, they’re still learning how the world works. But if an adult—someone who’s eaten thousands of meals and knows exactly how eating works—were to do the same, we’d call it absurd. We’d say they know better. And they do. Yet, sometimes, they still choose to act against what they know is right.

This is the paradox of age and wisdom. Those who’ve lived long lives, who’ve gathered knowledge and experience, are expected to act with clarity and purpose. But too often, we see them “putting food in their nose”—making choices that go against reason, morality, and even their own best interests. It’s not that they don’t know better. They do. The problem lies in the gap between knowing and doing.

Why does this happen? Is it arrogance, habit, or the weight of their years pressing down on their judgment? Or is it something deeper—a flaw in human nature that persists no matter how much we learn or how long we live? The truth is, we all know what’s right. It’s as natural to us as breathing. But acting on that truth takes more than knowledge. It takes courage, humility, and a willingness to break free from the patterns that hold us back.

The child who puts food in their nose can be excused. They’re still learning. But the adult who does the same has no such excuse. They know better. And so do we. The question isn’t whether we know the truth—it’s whether we’re willing to live by it. Will we act on what we know, or will we keep stuffing our noses with the meals meant for our mouths? The choice is ours.