True wisdom and a clear understanding of reality do not always depend on a long life of accumulated experience. Instead, a profound grasp of the world is deeply connected to the active, practical observance of God's commandments. Committing to this path provides a clear lens through which to view life, unlocking a level of insight that age and seniority alone cannot guarantee.
The primary approach among commentators is that an individual devoted to God's path actually achieves a level of understanding that surpasses that of the elders [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, מאירי]. While older generations gather their wisdom by observing past events and living through various experiences, this type of knowledge remains limited. A person who learns with the specific goal of putting that knowledge into practice reaches a much deeper level of insight. Studying in order to actively fulfill commandments forces a person to pay closer attention to the fine details. The physical action itself engraves these lessons into the soul, resulting in a clearer, more grounded understanding than life experience alone could ever provide [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].
Alternatively, this dynamic can be viewed as the process of learning directly from the elders, specifically the righteous sages who pass down sacred traditions. While basic knowledge can be acquired from almost anyone, the deeper ability to deduce new concepts and draw logical conclusions must be learned from these righteous individuals. Learning from those who are pure in their actions ensures that flawed behavior does not cloud the teacher's judgment or corrupt the lessons being passed down [אלשיך].
Ultimately, actively guarding God's commandments is the very foundation of this deep understanding. The practical observance of His laws creates the necessary condition for words of wisdom to be properly absorbed into the soul [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, this commitment reflects a natural evolution in a person's life. In youth, an individual might follow the commandments simply by accepting the traditions handed down to them. Yet, as time passes, the continuous cycle of action and reflection transforms their practice. They eventually reach a stage where they fulfill God's will through their own independent intellect, deep study, and profound personal understanding [רד״ק, מאירי].