quotations about wisdom
The trouble is that conventional wisdom is invariably wrong.
JOHN THORNHILL
review, "The Fourth Industrial Revolution", Financial Times, January 17, 2016
The first point of wisdom is to discern what is false; the second, to know what is true.
LACTANTIUS
attributed, Day's Collacon
If I could conceive it possible that this universe were governed by a wisdom no greater than I am able to comprehend, I should not be able to believe in a God of infinite wisdom; for finite wisdom cannot comprehend infinite wisdom.
LYMAN ABBOTT
The Theology of an Evolutionist
When the interests of mankind are at stake, they will obey with joy the man whom they believe to be wiser than themselves.
XENOPHON
Cyropaedia
There's little comfort in the wise.
RUPERT BROOKE
Tiare Tahiti
Cunning is the mere ape of wisdom, and all hate its low tricks.
JOHN THORNTON
Maxims and Directions for Youth
The wise man has his follies, no less than the fool; but it has been said that herein lies the difference--the follies of the fool are known to the world, but hidden from himself; the follies of the wise are known to himself, but hidden from the world.
CHARLES CALEB COLTON
Lacon
It is true that wisdom has wealth in the one hand and pleasure in the other, that her ways are ways of pleasantness, her paths are paths of peace; but she will never come to one who follows her for the sake of the wealth in the one hand or the pleasure in the other.
LYMAN ABBOTT
Seeking After God
If you are wise, all men will be your friends and kindred, for you will be useful.
PLATO
Lysis
Wise sayings often fall on barren ground.
ARTHUR HELPS
Thoughts in the Cloister and the Crowd
Have you ever wondered exactly what wisdom is? Nowadays, most people don't think about it at all. It's a rather old-fashioned concept, yet one that we need in this modern age, probably more than ever.... After all, aren't our senators intended to be wise older people who have the good judgement to take a sober second look at legislation before it finally becomes law? Today's news makes us wonder how that concept has become lost in political hubris.
DOROTHY TURCOTTE
"The world in 2016 could use a little more wisdom", Niagara This Week, January 12, 2016
Wisdom is not copyrighted. You have to become it.
SAMUEL AVITAL
attributed, "Intro: Wisdom is Not Copyrighted", Walking Kabbalah
Some would be sages if they did not believe they were so already.
BALTASAR GRACIAN
The Art of Worldly Wisdom
A whetstone is no carving instrument,
And yet it maketh sharp the carving tool;
And if you see my efforts wrongly spent,
Eschew that course and learn out of my school;
For thus the wise may profit by the fool,
And edge his wit, and grow more keen and wary,
For wisdom shines opposed to its contrary.
GEOFFREY CHAUCER
Troilus and Cressida
Wisdom is seen to come from God; indeed, it is seen to have a divine quality itself. The Bible encourages people of faith to seek wisdom. It is important to do whatever it takes to gain wisdom, because those who were wise were seen to be closer to God, because they were seen as having the Spirit of God within them.
KENNETH TAYLOR
"Avoid foolishness ... seek wisdom", Indianapolis Recorder, March 30, 2017
Wisdom always makes men fortunate: for by wisdom no man could ever err, and therefore he must act rightly and succeed, or his wisdom would be wisdom no longer.
PLATO
Euthydemus
Wisdom is first and foremost needed to discern when to speak, and when not to.
RENE CAMILLERI
"The wisdom not to speak", Malta Today, January 28, 2016
Man thinks
Brutes have no wisdom, since they know not his:
Can we divine their world?
GEORGE ELIOT
The Spanish Gypsy
The wisest man is he who does not require advice.
EDWARD COUNSEL
Maxims
Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
King Lear