The Squire in "Silas Marner" leads a life of idleness similar to that of his sons, yet he and others in Raveloe maintain the idea that folly belongs only to youth. This belief perpetuates the illusion that wisdom comes with age, contrasting the frivolity of youth with the supposed seriousness of adulthood.
This perception highlights a societal tendency to glorify age while dismissing the value of youthful experiences. Their sarcastic endurance suggests that the wisdom of the elderly might not be as profound as they claim, raising questions about the true nature of knowledge and maturity in Raveloe.