quotations about wisdom
True wisdom is not found in yes-or-no answers, but in the open mind of not-knowing.
MELVIN MCLEOD
"Benefit, Not Benefits", Lion's Roar, April 3, 2017
Contend not in wisdom with a fool, for thy sense maketh much of his conceit;
And some errors never would have thriven, had it not been for learned refutation.
MARTIN FARQUHAR TUPPER
Proverbial Philosophy
Wisdom consists in being able to distinguish among dangers and make a choice of the least harmful.
NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI
The Prince
Second thoughts are ever wiser.
EURIPIDES
Hippolytus
A wise man is out of the reach of fortune.
THOMAS BROWNE
Religio Medici
The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.
WILLIAM JAMES
Principles of Psychology
A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees.
WILLIAM BLAKE
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
Some people look to religion. Others, great works of classical art. For most of us though, life lessons are to be found in the movies (or even its unruly, younger sibling: Television), where guiding wisdom is dispensed by sages as undoubtable as Yoda, Don Corleone or Hannibal Lector.
MATTHEW PRIEST
"21 nuggets of cinematic wisdom", Esquire, January 14, 2016
A man remains ignorant because he loves ignorance, and chooses ignorant thoughts; a man becomes wise because he loves wisdom and chooses wise thoughts.
JAMES ALLEN
Above Life's Turmoil
The clouds may drop down titles and estates, wealth may seek us; but wisdom must be sought.
EDWARD YOUNG
The Complaint; Or Night Thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality
Never, no, never did Nature say one thing and Wisdom say another.
EDMUND BURKE
Letters on a Regicide Peace
Wisdom teaches us to live content upon a bone gnawed bare.
ABRAHAM MILLER
Unmoral Maxims
Many things imperfect by nature are made perfect by wisdom.
NICCOLO UZZANO
attributed, Day's Collacon
Wisdom is a power that allows one to stay on the fountainhead. Fountainhead signifies the origin of water. God is the origin of the living water.
JOSHUA CHOON-MIN KANG
"Return to the Word Repeatedly", Christianity Daily, January 26, 2016
Be wise before the storm.
EDWARD COUNSEL
Maxims
Wisdom is the first and mother of all stocks for the market maker.
JIMANZE EGO-ALOWES
"Is the leadership question Nigeria's gold card?", The Sun, February 4, 2016
No, that is the great fallacy: the wisdom of old men. They do not grow wise. They grow careful.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY
A Farewell to Arms
Like gold in the hands of a savage are the sayings of wisdom in the mouth of a fool.
EDWARD COUNSEL
Maxims
Wisdom is also a deeper consciousness of ignorance.
AUSTIN O'MALLEY
Keystones of Thought
There are few who would need advisers, if they were only accustomed to appeal to themselves in their calmest, holiest moments. If, when embarrassed with doubt as to any course of action, they would turn aside from the immediate tumult of the world, and from the vain speaking of those who "darken counsel by words without knowledge;" and would then commune with their hearts alone, at night, the heavens their silent counsellors, they would act not always in accordance with the wise men of this world, but with that wisdom which bringeth peace.
ARTHUR HELPS
Thoughts in the Cloister and the Crowd