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Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10

A few of Chattanooga’s sages offer life lessons for all

Staff file photo / Retired educator Franklin McCallie remains active as a community activist, particularly racial equality.
Staff file photo / Retired educator Franklin McCallie remains active as a community activist, particularly racial equality. Staff file photo / Retired educator Franklin McCallie remains active as a community activist, particularly racial equality.

Humorist Oscar Wilde once observed, “With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone.”

With that maxim in mind, we went looking for a few Chattanooga-area men we thought might have a few wise words to impart, men who seem to have the hang of this thing called life, at least from outward appearances.

They include educators, a radio personality and a gentleman barber, men who have shared their wit and wisdom one-on-one and among the masses. They are men who have gained from their life experience and whose character has been enriched by the lessons they have learned along the way.

They are men others look to for advice. Men who mentor, sometimes unknowingly. Men who lead by example.

For us, they are sages for the ages. Here are some of the life lessons these wise guys have to offer.