"L'âge était respecté parmi son peuple, mais la réussite était vénérée. Comme disaient les anciens, si un enfant se lavait les mains, il pouvait manger avec des rois."

Simplified Meaning:

In the culture talked about in the quote, people respected older individuals because of their age and experience. However, people valued and admired success and accomplishments even more, no matter who achieved them. This means that if someone, even a young person, worked hard and did something remarkable, they would be highly honored and recognized, just like older and more experienced people. Imagine a school where everyone respects teachers for their knowledge, but a student who wins a big science competition is celebrated even more. People would treat this student with great honor because of their achievement, just like they respect the teachers. The quote uses the idea of clean hands to show that if a young person prepares themselves well and achieves something important, they can reach great heights and be treated with the same respect as important leaders. To apply this advice in life, one should focus on working hard and reaching their goals, regardless of their age. Success and hard work can earn you respect and opportunities usually reserved for more experienced people. It’s important to prepare yourself and seize opportunities, just like washing hands before a meal allows you to sit at the table with important guests.