noun
wisdom of the ancients
Refers to the accumulated knowledge, insights, or lessons passed down from past generations. Often used in literary or reflective contexts.
故知を学ぶことは、未来への道しるべとなる。
Learning the wisdom of the ancients serves as a guide for the future.
この書物には先人たちの故知が詰まっている。
This book is filled with the wisdom of our predecessors.
A more common and modern phrase for 'wisdom of the ancients'. 故知 is a more compact, literary term.
Compound of 故 (old, past) and 知 (knowledge, wisdom). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination directly conveys 'old knowledge'.