VERSES 6, 7. — And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: I am young in years, and you are elders; therefore with head bowed down I was afraid to declare to you my opinion. For I hoped that a longer age would speak, and a multitude of years would teach wisdom. 12. To keep silent is often to be wise. — All these things, which are uttered by him through the swelling of pride, should rather be touched upon in passing than expounded more attentively. For things that lack solidity of weight do not need subtlety of exposition. But I think only this should be briefly intimated: that Elihu, so long as he kept silent out of respect for his age, was the wiser;
but when, preferring himself in respect of years, he despises others, he shows how childishly he plays the fool. For against his opinion both the longer age speaks, and through a multitude of years wisdom is taught, because although length of life does not bestow understanding, yet it strongly exercises it by use. There follows: