This thread makes me think of a couple of Proverbs:
Quote:
"The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." (16:31)
"The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head." (20:29)
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These are both King James versions; in modern English bibles, "hoary head" is typically translated as "grey hair" or "grey head".
And there's also the Elder Eddas:
Quote:
I rede thee, Loddfafnir! | and hear thou my rede,--
Profit thou hast if thou hearest,
Great thy gain if thou learnest:
Scorn not ever | the gray-haired singer,
Oft do the old speak good;
(Oft from shrivelled skin | come skillful counsels,
Though it hang with the hides,
And flap with the pelts,
And is blown with the bellies.)
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The association of grey with wisdom fits comfortably with Gandalf, and extends without too much trouble to the Elves and the Dunedain.