Among humans popularity is often fleeting. The famous person is quickly forgotten when someone else captures the heart of the people. Even those who attain the topmost position are no exception.

Wise King Solomon realistically described what can happen to rulers. We read: “Better is a needy but wise child than an old but stupid king, who has not come to know enough to be warned any longer.

Eccl. 4:13, 14.

A man might feel that his having the topmost position, kingship, backed up by his age and experience, should assure him public respect or support. But, despite his position and age, a king will not be granted heartfelt honor if he acts unwisely, refusing to heed the sound counsel of others. Position and age, in themselves, do not guarantee respect. That is why a needy but wise child is better off than a king who once ruled wisely but who in old age becomes set in his ways and pays no attention to good counsel. Through mismanagement the old king may plunge the whole kingdom into hopeless debt, alienate his subjects and may even be deposed and die in disgrace. The youth who continues to act wisely, on the other hand, may earn the very respect that is not accorded an old but stupid king.