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Wisdom


Wisdom

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Quotations

QuintilianThose who wish to appear wise among fools, they seem foolish among the wise.

—  Quintilian, 35-96 AD, Roman rhetorician

22 likes
Jean Jacques RousseauWhat wisdom can you find greater than kindness.

—  Jean Jacques Rousseau, 1712-1778, Swiss-French philosopher

16 likes
William ShakespeareThe fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.

—  William Shakespeare, 1564-1616, English poet & playwright ‐ As You Like It

16 likes
Sacha GuitryOur wisdom comes from our experience, and our experience comes from our foolishness.

—  Sacha Guitry, 1885-1957, French writer

13 likes
Lord ChesterfieldBe wiser than other people if you can; but do not tell them so.

—  Lord Chesterfield, 1694-1773, English statesman & writer

9 likes
Joseph CampbellWisdom and foolishness are practically the same. Both are indifferent to the opinions of the world.

—  Joseph Campbell, 1904-1987, American academic

9 likes
Rainer Maria RilkeI want to be with those who know secret things
or else alone.

—  Rainer Maria Rilke, 1875-1926, Czech-German poet

8 likes
Will DurantKnowledge is power but only wisdom is liberty.

—  Will Durant, 1885-1981, American historian & philosopher

7 likes
Samuel Taylor ColeridgeCommon sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.

—  Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1772-1834, English poet & philosopher

6 likes
William JamesThe art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.

—  William James, 1842-1910, American philosopher

6 likes
Marcel ProustWe don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.

—  Marcel Proust, 1871-1922, French writer

5 likes
Terry PratchettWisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom.

—  Terry Pratchett, 1948-2015, British writer

5 likes
John KeatsI will give you a definition of a proud man: he is a man who has neither vanity nor wisdom; one filled with hatreds cannot be vain, neither can he be wise.

—  John Keats, 1795-1821, English poet

5 likes
Alfred TennysonKnowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.

—  Alfred Tennyson, 1809-1892, English poet

5 likes
Michel de MontaigneWe can be knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.

—  Michel de Montaigne, 1533-1592, French thinker

4 likes
JuvenalNever does Nature say one thing and Wisdom another.

—  Juvenal, 1st-2nd cent. AD, Roman satiric poet

4 likes
Jacques LacanThe reason we go to poetry is not for wisdom, but for the dismantling of wisdom.

—  Jacques Lacan, 1901-1981, French psychoanalyst

4 likes
Eleanor RooseveltNever mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.

—  Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884-1962, Wife of the 32nd USA president

4 likes
Dr. Thomas FullerTis better for thee to be wise and not seem so, than to seem wise and not be so: Yet Men, for the most Part, desire and endeavor the contrary.

—  Dr. Thomas Fuller, 1654-1734,  English physician and adage collector

4 likes
William BlakeIf the fool would persist in his folly he would become wise.

—  William Blake, 1757-1827, English poet & painter

3 likes
Ralph Waldo EmersonThe invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.

—  Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1884, American philosopher

3 likes
Bias of PrieneCherish wisdom as a means of travelling from youth to old age, for it is more lasting than any other possession.

—  Bias of Priene, 625-540 BC, one of the 7 sages of Ancient Greece

3 likes
Samuel JohnsonYou can never be wise unless you love reading.

—  Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784, English writer

3 likes
La RochefoucauldIt is a great folly to wish to be wise alone.

—  La Rochefoucauld, 1613-1680, French writer

3 likes
André GideWisdom comes not from reason but from love.

—  André Gide, 1869-1951, French writer, Nobel 1947

3 likes
George SantayanaWisdom lies in taking everything with good humor and a grain of salt.

—  George Santayana, 1863-1952, Spanish-American philosopher

3 likes
RumiWisdom and knowledge exist so we can distinguish right from wrong.

—  Rumi, 1207-1273, Persian mystic & poet

3 likes
Doug LarsonWisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it.

—  Doug Larson, 1926-2017, American columnist

3 likes
Jean RostandFor war to disappear, men would have to become either cowards or wise.

—  Jean Rostand, 1894-1977, French scientist & philosopher

3 likes
Arthur ClarkeBefore you become too entranced with gorgeous gadgets and mesmerizing video displays, let me remind you that information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, and wisdom is not foresight. Each grows out of the other, and we need them all.

—  Arthur Clarke, 1917-2008, British Sci-Fi writer

3 likes
Ludwig WittgensteinIt 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 philosopher

3 likes
ConfuciusBy three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

—  Confucius, 551-479 BC, Chinese teacher & philosopher

3 likes
Carl SandburgBack of every mistaken venture and defeat is the laughter of wisdom, if you listen.

—  Carl Sandburg, 1878-1967, American poet

2 likes
Charles DickensThere is a wisdom of the Head, and … there is a wisdom of the Heart.

—  Charles Dickens, 1812-1870, British writer

2 likes
Ralph Waldo EmersonThere are many things of which a wise man might wish to be ignorant.

—  Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1884, American philosopher

2 likes
Elbert HubbardEvery man is a damn fool for at least five minutes a day. Wisdom consists of not exceeding the limit.

—  Elbert Hubbard, 1856-1915, American writer

2 likes
Anton ChekhovSolomon made a great mistake when he asked for wisdom.

—  Anton Chekhov, 1860-1904, Russian writer

2 likes
Charles Caleb ColtonThere is this difference between happiness and wisdom, that he that thinks himself the happiest man, really is so; but he who thinks himself the wisest, is generally the greatest fool.

—  Charles Caleb Colton, 1780-1832, English cleric & writer

2 likes
Saint AugustineTo wisdom belongs the intellectual apprehension of things eternal; to knowledge, the rational apprehension of things temporal.

—  Saint Augustine, 354-430, Christian theologian & philosopher

2 likes
Bertrand RussellTo realize the unimportance of time is the gate to wisdom.

—  Bertrand Russell, 1872-1970, British philosopher

Charles DickensA loving heart is the truest wisdom.

—  Charles Dickens, 1812-1870, British writer

Thomas SowellUnderstanding the limitations of human beings is the beginning of wisdom.

—  Thomas Sowell, 1930 -, American political thinker

Antoine RivarolIt is easy for men to write and talk like philosophers, but to act with wisdom, there is the rub!

—  Antoine Rivarol, 1753-1801, French author of maxims

Joseph Joubert Seek wisdom rather than the truth. It is more within our reach.

—  Joseph Joubert, 1754-1824, French author of maxims

Joseph JoubertIllusion and wisdom combined are the charm of life and art.

—  Joseph Joubert, 1754-1824, French author of maxims

Joseph JoubertOld age takes from the man of intellect no qualities save those that are useless to wisdom.

—  Joseph Joubert, 1754-1824, French author of maxims

Oliver W. Holmes Sr.It is the province of knowledge to speak, and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen.

—  Oliver W. Holmes Sr., 1809-1894, American writer

Oliver W. Holmes Sr.Wisdom is the abstract of the past, but beauty is the promise of the future.

—  Oliver W. Holmes Sr., 1809-1894, American writer

Aldοus HuxleyIf one is not oneself a sage or saint, the best thing one can do is to study the words of those who were.

—  Aldοus Huxley, 1894-1963, English writer

Bertolt BrechtMixing one's wines may be a mistake, but old and new wisdom mix admirably.

—  Bertolt Brecht, 1898-1956, German writer

Jean de La BruyèreA wise man is cured of ambition by ambition itself; his aim is so exalted, that riches, positions, fortune, and favor cannot satisfy him.

—  Jean de La Bruyère, 1645-1696, French writer

William Hazlitt The seat of knowledge is in the head; of wisdom, in the heart. We are sure to judge wrong, if we do not feel right.

—  William Hazlitt , 1778-1830, English essayist & critic

Terry PratchettWisdom is one of the few things that looks bigger the further away it is.

—  Terry Pratchett, 1948-2015, British writer

Sri AurobindoWhat men call knowledge, is the reasoned acceptance of false appearances. Wisdom looks behind the veil and sees.

—  Sri Aurobindo, 1872-1950, Indian nationalist, yogi & philosopher

Sri AurobindoEvolution of consciousness is the central motive of terrestrial existence.

—  Sri Aurobindo, 1872-1950, Indian nationalist, yogi & philosopher

Sri AurobindoWhen Reason died, then Wisdom was born.

—  Sri Aurobindo, 1872-1950, Indian nationalist, yogi & philosopher

D. H. LawrenceIt's bad taste to be wise all the time, like being at a perpetual funeral.

—  D. H. Lawrence, 1885-1930, British writer

Hermann HesseWisdom is not communicable. The wisdom which a wise man tries to communicate always sounds foolish... Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom.

—  Hermann Hesse, 1877-1962, German writer, Nobel 1946

Arthur KoestlerThe jester is brother to the sage.

—  Arthur Koestler, 1905-1983, Hungarian-British writer

Nicolas ChamfortEvery day I add to the list of things I refuse to discuss. The wiser the man, the longer the list.

—  Nicolas Chamfort, 1740-1794, French writer

Nicolas Gomez DavilaWisdom consists in being moderate not out of horror of excess, but out of love for the limit.

—  Nicolas Gomez Davila, 1913-1994, Colombian writer

Ambrose BierceWisdom is known only by contrasting it with folly; by shadow only we perceive that all visible objects are not flat.

—  Ambrose Bierce, 1842–1914, American writer

Latin Quotes

Saint AugustinePatience is the companion of wisdom.

Patientia comes est sapientiae.

—  Saint Augustine, 354-430, Christian theologian & philosopher

76 likes

Quotes in Verse

T. S. EliotWhere is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?

—  T. S. Eliot, 1888-1965, British poet, Nobel 1948

4 likes
Bob MarleyDon’t gain the world and lose your soul. Wisdom is better than silver and gold.

—  Bob Marley, 1945-1981, Jamaican singer

3 likes
William WordsworthWisdom is oft-times nearer when we stoop
Than when we soar.

—  William Wordsworth, 1770-1850, English poet

2 likes
Antonio MachadoThe deepest words
of the wise man teach us
the same as the whistle of the wind when it blows
or the sound of the water when it is flowing.

—  Antonio Machado, 1875-1939, Spanish poet & playwright

Ancient Greek

AntisthenesThe investigation of the meaning of words is the beginning of wisdom.

Αρχή Σοφίας ονομάτων επίσκεψις.

—  Antisthenes, 445-360 BC, Ancient Greek Cynic philosopher

18 likes
AeschylusWise is he who knows useful things, not he who knows many things.

Χρήσιμ’ ειδώς ουχ ο πολλά ειδώς σοφός.

—  Aeschylus, 525-456 BC, Ancient Greek tragedian

15 likes
PlatoI only wish that wisdom were the kind of thing that flowed … from the vessel that was full to the one that was empty.

Eυ αν έχοι ... ει τοιούτον είη η σοφία ωστ᾽ εκ του πληρεστέρου εις το κενώτερον ρείν ημών…

—  Plato, 427-347 BC, Ancient Greek philosopher

10 likes
HomerMany cities of men he saw and learned their minds.

Πολλών δ’ ανθρώπων ίδεν άστεα και νόον έγνων.

—  Homer, c. 800-750 BC, Ancient Greek Poet ‐ Odyssey I

9 likes
IsokratesOf all our possessions, wisdom alone is immortal.

Σοφία μόνον κτημάτων αθάνατον.

—  Isokrates, 436-338 BC, Ancient Greek rhetorician

6 likes
DemocritusFrom wisdom come these three: good thinking, speaking well and doing what is right.

Γίνεται δε εκ του φρονείν τρία ταύτα: βουλεύεσθαι καλώς, λέγειν αναμαρτήτως και πράττειν ά δει.

—  Democritus, 470-370 BC, Ancient Greek philosopher

6 likes
AgathonThey say that time is by nature wise.

Σοφόν λέγουσι τον χρόνον πεφυκέναι.

—  Agathon, 450-400 BC, Ancient Greek tragic poet

6 likes
DemocritusMedicine heals the body and wisdom removes the suffering from the souls.

Ιατρική μεν σώματος νόσους ακέεεται, σοφίη δε ψυχήν παθών αφαιρείται.

—  Democritus, 470-370 BC, Ancient Greek philosopher

6 likes
SophoclesAmong the rude, the wise man goes unnoticed.

Σκαιοίσι πολλοίς είς σοφός διόλλυται.

—  Sophocles, 496-406 BC, Ancient tragic poet

5 likes
AristophanesThat man is wise who can say what he wants in a minimum of words.

Σοφού προς ανδρός όστις εν βραχεί πολλούς καλώς οίος τε συντέμνειν λόγους.

—  Aristophanes, 445-386 BC, Ancient Greek comic playwright ‐ Thesmophoriazusae

5 likes

Proverbs

Chinese proverbBeauty is the wisdom of women. Wisdom is the beauty of men.

—  Chinese proverb

5 likes
American Indian proverbIf a man is as wise as a serpent, he can afford to be as harmless as a dove.

—  American Indian proverb ‐ Cheyenne

4 likes
Russian proverbThe wise man has long ears, big eyes and a short tongue.

—  Russian proverb

2 likes



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