age before beauty

Older people have precedence over those who are younger and more attractive; said when standing back to let another person go first or when pushing in ahead of somebody: “Age before beauty,” she said as she stepped in front of the young woman at the head of the line. The proverb was first recorded in 1843. Face- tious retorts or extensions to the proverb include “Beauty before the beast,” “Grace before meat,” and “Pearls before swine.”