This Malagasy proverb highlights the subtle distinctions between skill and cunning. It compares an elderly man engaged in coarse manual labor but compensating for his physical inefficiency with wit and guile. Despite his old age and possibly diminished physical capabilities, he overcomes his limitations with intelligence and cleverness. This proverb emphasizes the importance of the mind over brute strength. An equivalent English expression would be “brains over brawn.” The elderly are often respected for their experience and wisdom, and this proverb perfectly illustrates that notion.