may wisdom prove enough

[kingston_123]

Chruchill says to Clementine:

One should have had power when a young man. When wits were sharp. Sinews strong. When youth departs, may wisdom prove enough.

What is the meaning of "may wisdom prove enough"?
Source: Darkest Hour (2017) film
Screenplay: Anthony McCarten

 

[JMurray]

What is the meaning of "may wisdom prove enough"?


Here, "may" is used to express a wish or hope.
See definition #3.
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/may

… and "prove" means 'be seen or found to be'.
See definition #2.1
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/prove


Churchill is saying that having lost the advantages of youth, he hopes that having the wisdom of age is found to be enough to achieve what he wants.

 

[kingston_123]

Churchill is saying that having lost the advantages of youth, he hopes that having the wisdom of age is found to be enough to achieve what he wants.

Does it mean when youth departs, then you have to be smart to succeed because you don't have lots of energy and good health anymore?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Yes, exactly. When you don't have those other advantages, your along wisdom needs to be enough to accomplish what you need to accomplish.

 

[GoesStation]

Does it mean when youth departs, then you have to be smart to succeed because you don't have lots of energy and good health anymore?

Having wisdom is not the same as being smart. Wisdom is accumulated knowledge combined with knowing how to apply it.

 

[Tdol]

He is expressing the hope that wisdom will make up for the loss of other things like sharp wits.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Youth's energy, optimism, and enthusiasm are no match for age's experience, guile, and cunning.

 

[Tdol]

According to older people.