Were the Istari already old men...?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Alfirin

That actually brings up an interesting question (if I may veer off topic for a bit) why did the Istari have beards AT ALL. They were sent to rally the people the people of Middle Earth to resist Sauron, so one would assume they would choose a form that would in someway facilitate conveying their message.

In the quote cited by Belegorn above, it is said that the Istari were "in the shape of Men". That particular form might have been chosen as the most accessible to all the Free Peoples. If they'd come as Elves, the Dwarves would have been much less likely to deal with them, and vice-versa. Men commonly had dealings with both the other races (not to mention Hobbits).

As for the beards, we know we least that King Théoden wore one, and beards seem to be fairly common among the Men of Middle-earth, since the Stoors, the nearest hobbits to Men, are distinguished by some growing a bit of down on their chins.
Beards would have been a source of affinity to Dwarves, with little doubt, and surely the wise Eldar would have been able to see beyond the beards (as they did with the general elderly appearance) of the Istari and pay more attention to their words and deeds.