De Sacrificiis Abelis Et Caini

On which account he says in another place, "Thou shalt rise up from before a hoary head, and thou shalt honour the face of an elder." [*](Leviticus xix. 32. ) As if the difference were very great. For what is hoary is that time which energizes not at all, from which one ought to rise up, and depart, and flee, avoiding that idea which deceives tens of thousands, that time has a natural capacity of doing something. But by an elder is meant one who is worthy of honour, and respect, and of pre-eminence, the examination of whom is committed to Moses, the friend of God. "For those whom thou knowest," says God to Moses, "they are the elders." [*](Numbers xi. 16. ) As he was a man who admitted no innovations of any kind, but was by custom attached to his elders, and to those who were worthy of the highest honours. [*](Leviticus xix. 32. ) [*](Numbers xi. 16. )