Why did the author chose to describe the four friends as venerable in this sentence

often a noun phrase is just a noun or a pronoun:

people like to have money.

i am tired.

it is getting late.

based on the biblical principle proverbs 16: 32, i agree with the author of the passage "better is it that it takes longer to be angry than the strong " to the extent that i share the philosophy that the nobility of heart demonstrates the strength of a person. those who are very proud, get angry easily and show their anger toward others are really weak, but those who are noble and do not constantly obfuscate or contain their feelings of anger, are strong people

in my opinion, anyone should be allowed to marry as long as it's not going against any laws. though i kind of contradict myself because i know that in some states and countries, gay marriage isn't legal yet- hopefully you get my point.