And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm.

Meaning: Being truthful often protects trust and avoids the complications of maintaining a deception. Honest conduct can support lasting relationships even when admitting the truth is uncomfortable.

Meaning: The saying places age ahead of honesty in a terse order of precedence. It can be read critically as asking whether seniority is being allowed to outweigh conduct.

Meaning: Old age deserves respect rather than dismissal. The saying honours later life, without proving that age guarantees wisdom, good conduct or authority over another person’s decisions.

Meaning: A small charitable gesture does not make a larger dishonest act acceptable. Consider where the benefit came from rather than letting a visible donation conceal the wrong that supplied it.