King James Bible
"The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness."
Gray hair is depicted as an honorable ornament, comparable to a royal crown that signifies dignity and achievement. In ancient Hebrew culture, old age was revered as a sign of God's blessing and accumulated wisdom, contrasting with modern youth-obsessed values. This conditional clause establishes that honor in old age is not automatic but depends on a life lived according to God's moral standards. The proverb teaches that true glory comes from persistent righteous living, not merely from surviving to old age.