quotations about wisdom
In youth men are apt to write more wisely than they really know or feel; and the remainder of life may be not idly spent in realizing and convincing themselves of the wisdom which they uttered long ago.
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE
preface, The Snow-Image
Now, if wisdom is God, who made all things, as is attested by the divine authority and truth, then the philosopher is a lover of God.
ST. AUGUSTINE
The City of God
As we get older, we should get wiser automatically, as the result of our experiences and learning throughout life. That doesn't always happen. Even when we try hard, we sometimes make errors in judgement. Learning from those errors is part of becoming wiser.
DOROTHY TURCOTTE
"The world in 2016 could use a little more wisdom", Niagara This Week, January 12, 2016
A word to the wise is -- unnecessary.
EVAN ESAR
20,000 Quips & Quotes
Learning discernment is a lifelong project, and wisdom is hard-won.
JEANIE MILEY
"Learning discernment is a lifelong project", San Angelo Standard-Times, January 29, 2016
Wisdom is not learning merely; it is learning with ability and disposition to use it.
E. P. DAY
Day's Collacon
Gaining wisdom is a wonderful thing. Giving it back is better.
MIKE BELL
"Canadian jazz great Bob Erlendson set to celebrate his 85th in style with Ironwood show", Calgary Herald, January 16, 2016
He that is conceited of his Wisdom, is readier to impose Error, than to receive Truth.
BENJAMIN WHICHCOTE
Moral and Religious Aphorisms
The mouse is wise, but the cat is wiser.
TYCHO BRAHE
attributed, Day's Collacon
Only fools think they're wise; the rest of us just muddle through as we can.
CHARLES DE LINT
"Where Desert Spirits Crowd the Night", The Ivory and the Horn
It is wisdom to think upon anything before we execute it.
PLAUTUS
attributed, Day's Collacon
Full wise is he that can himself know.
GEOFFREY CHAUCER
The Canterbury Tales
The fact that so many of us are so out of touch with [our] inner wisdom is simply a function of a lifetime of "fox training" . We've been innocently taught from the time we were born that the "right" answers to our most important questions are in the world around us, already out there waiting if only we can find them. So we search and we seek, and sure enough, there are thousands of people only too willing to share their best advice on how to find happiness, get everything we want, and outfox the other foxes to make our way in the world.
MICHAEL NEILL
"The Hedgehog of Wisdom", Huffington Post, January 14, 2016
Wisdom adorneth riches and casteth a shadow over poverty.
SOCRATES
attributed, Day's Collacon
We must attain wisdom as we go up stairs, one step at a time.
TSZE-KUNG
attributed, Day's Collacon
One could argue that judgment and wisdom are the same; certainly wisdom is enhanced by judgment, but neither can be taught in the sense that knowledge can. If wisdom and judgment were learnable attributes as, say, algebra, much heartache of maturation could be avoided. Alas, it is not so.
HAYDEN HOLLINGSWORTH
"Knowledge Versus Wisdom", The Roanoke Star, April 3, 2017
Mystical wisdom is the living awareness by faith of the Lord's personal presence in one's own life and in the world. It is relevant because this creating and healing presence holds everything together, and to live life to the full, we need to draw close to this source of life.
KATHRYN JEAN LOPEZ
National Review, March 31, 2017
Knowledge means knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
HAYDEN HOLLINGSWORTH
"Knowledge Versus Wisdom", The Roanoke Star, April 3, 2017
Wisdom is using your knowledge to see opportunities, risks, challenges and the things that you need to do.
JOHN BRENNAN
"Why the former CIA director is in Augusta during Masters Week", MyAJC, April 6, 2017
Wisdom is an endless tower. Who but One hath ever attained the summit?
EDWARD COUNSEL
Maxims