What a wonderful world this would be if there were as many wise people as there are clever people.
—Unknown
Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d preferred to talk.
—Doug Larson (1926–2017) American Columnist
There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation.
—Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) English Polymath, Philosopher, Political/Social Theorist
In much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
He who wishes to be rich in a day will be hanged in a year.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Architect
Perfect wisdom hath four parts, viz., wisdom, the principle of doing things aright; justice, the principle of doing things equally in public and private; fortitude, the principle of not flying danger, but meeting it; and temperance, the principle of subduing desires and living moderately.
—Plato (428 BCE–347 BCE) Greek Philosopher, Mathematician, Educator
Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
The wisdom of the wise and the experience of ages may be preserved by quotation.
—Isaac D’Israeli (1766–1848) English Writer, Scholar
As irrigators lead water where they want, as archers make their arrows straight, as carpenters carve wood, the wise shape their minds.
—Buddhist Teaching
With happiness comes intelligence to the heart.
—Chinese Proverb
This is the highest wisdom that I own; freedom and life are earned by those alone who conquer them each day anew.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Wisdom is the essential basis of greatness.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
Knowledge, a rude unprofitable mass, the mere materials with which wisdom builds, till smoothed and squared and fitted to its place, does but encumber whom it seems to enrich. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much; wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
Loosen the bonds of avarice from your hands and neck.
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–73) Persian Muslim Mystic
We ought not to judge of men’s merits by their qualifications, but by the use they make of them.
—Pierre Charron (1541–1603) French Preacher, Philosopher
He who is taught to live upon little owes more to his father’s wisdom than he that has a great deal left him does to his father’s care.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Philosopher, Political Leader
The more knowledge, the more spiritual life.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
It seems to me that, in every culture, I come across a chapter headed “Wisdom.” And then I know exactly what is going to follow: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
—Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951) Austrian-born British Philosopher
The wise man always throws himself on the side of his assailants. It is more his interest than it is theirs to find his weak point.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
At church, with meek and unaffected grace,
His looks adorn’d the venerable place;
Truth from his lips prevail’d with double sway,
And fools who came to scoff, remain’d to pray.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Ignorance and conceit go hand in hand.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The wise learn many things from their enemies.
—Aristophanes (447–386 BCE) Greek Comic Playwright
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.
—James Oppenheim (1882–1932) American Poet, Novelist, Editor
The live in wisdom who see themselves in all and all in them, who have renounced every selfish desire and sense craving tormenting the heart.
—The Bhagavad Gita Hindu Scripture
Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
The more immoral we become in big ways, the more puritanical we become in little ways.
—Florence King (1936–2016) American Essayist, Columnist
Wise men, though all laws were abolished, would lead the same lives.
—Aristophanes (447–386 BCE) Greek Comic Playwright
The wise man is but a clever infant, spelling letters from a hieroglyphical prophetic book, the lexicon of which lies in eternity.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Wisdom begins in wonder.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Wisdom prepares for the worst, but folly leaves the worst for the day when it comes.
—Richard Cecil
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