&gt;The society where &quot;elders&quot; were regarded as wells of wisdom probably never existed.<p>Historically, the Greeks (as one example) respected the opinions of wise elders,<p>&quot;Monarchies in ancient Greece were not absolute because there was usually a council of older citizens (the senate, or in Macedonia the congress) who gave advice to the King.&quot;<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;simple.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Ancient_Greece" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;simple.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Ancient_Greece</a><p>From my own experience, I always sought adults that I felt I could learn from.  Even as a kid, I remember thinking some older people gave bad advice and some showed great insight and used this to focus my attention.  My own kids seem to echo similar sentiments to my own at the same age.