The Rishis did not make merit depend upon years of decrepitude or riches or friends. They said that he amongst them was great who studied the Vedas.
भीष्म उवाच न हायनैर्न पलितैर्न वित्तैर्न न बन्धुभिः। ऋषयश्चक्रिरे धर्म योऽनूचानः स नो महान्॥