If with age one still lacks the discernment to distinguish between insignificance and greatness, then it makes no difference whether one is a student or a master.
This couplet gently reminds us that gray hair and grand titles are meaningless without inner wisdom and grace. If years of living fail to teach a person the humility of being small ('khori') and the quiet dignity of true greatness ('buzurgi'), then whether they are called a 'student' or a 'master' matters very little. Real maturity is reflected in our discernment and character, not in the ranks life confers upon us.
Interpretation note: meanings and explanations may be AI-assisted and should not replace a primary text or scholarly edition. See the editorial policy.
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