Old Master/Quotes

""I rely not so much on the wisdom of age as on the overconfidence of youth.""

- Venerable Monk, Magic the Gathering

""Let me show you how we brought the pain in my day!""

- Jetfire, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

""I am not faster than you--you are faster than me! It's just that I move while you are still thinking of moving.""

- An Old Master, to a martial arts student

""I have forgotten more of the Art than you shall... ever... know!""

- Ravel, Planescape: Torment

""Age and treachery will triumph over youth and skill.""

- Fencer's Adage

""Never act incautiously when confronted by a little bald wrinkly smiling man!""

- Lu-Tze, Thief of Time, Rule One

""A person of invariable knowledge, wisdom and perspective. They may not look much, being old decrepit men whose chief personality is "Beard" -- but one thing is for sure: They can kill you eight ways from Sunday and still make it back in time for reruns of the Rockford Files. Sadly, one thing is always for sure: They will always inexplicably die or disappear right when you could actually use them.""

- Cracked, on BioWare's "Wise Mentor" archetype.

""Boot to the head.""

- Tae Kwon Leep, The Frantics

"Amaranthae Auglamyr(discovering that her cousin's hobbies aren't quite a secret): Do you elders know everything?

Srinshee: Enough to keep ourselves entertained.

Uldreiyn Starym: 'Tis a common mistake of the young and vigorous, to believe their elders have forgotten to see, or think, or remember things--when what we've really forgotten to do is scare younglings into respecting us, thoroughly and often.

[...]

Mythanthar (spoiling a hastily called trial over his death): The problem with you younglings is that you're all so lazy, so impatient. You neglect to check every last detail of your spells, and so earn nasty surprises from their side effects. You don't bother to ensure that your victims--even foolish old mages--are truly dead."

- Elminster In Myth Drannor by Ed Greenwood.