One out of four people in this country is mentally imbalanced. Think of your three closest friends. If they seem okay, then you’re the one.
—Ask Ann Landers (1918–2002) American Advice Columnist
If you would judge, understand.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Give me six lines written by the most honorable person alive, and I shall find enough in them to condemn them to the gallows.
—Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642) French Cardinal, Statemesan
Let us remember, when we are inclined to be disheartened, that the private soldier is a poor judge of the fortunes of a great battle.
—William Motter Inge (1913–73) American Playwright, Novelist
A man is not good or bad for one action.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
We find it hard to apply the knowledge of ourselves to our judgment of others. The fact that we are never of one kind, that we never love without reservations and never hate with all our being cannot prevent us from seeing others as wholly black or white.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Men are more apt to be mistaken in their generalizations than in their particular observations.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
We need very strong ears to hear ourselves judged frankly, and because there are few who can endure frank criticism without being stung by it, those who venture to criticize us perform a remarkable act of friendship, for to undertake to wound or offend a man for his own good is to have a healthy love for him.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Less judgment than wit, is more sail than ballast. Yet it must be confessed, that wit gives an edge to sense, and recommends it extremely.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
It is no little wisdom for a man to keep himself in silence and in good peace when evil words are spoken to him, and to turn his heart to God and not to be troubled with man’s judgment.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
Do not judge, and you will never be mistaken.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Men in general judge more by the sense of sight than by the sense of touch, because everyone can see, but only a few can test by feeling. Everyone sees what you seem to be, few know what you really are, and those few do not dare take a stand against the general opinion.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
In our judgment of human transactions, the law of optics is reversed; we see the most indistinctly the objects which are close around us.
—Richard Whately (1787–1863) English Philosopher, Theologian
We are firm believers in the maxim that, for all right judgment of any man or thing, it is useful, nay, essential, to see his good qualities before pronouncing on his bad.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Foolish men imagine that because judgment for an evil thing is delayed, there is no justice; but only accident here below. Judgment for an evil thing is many times delayed some day or two, some century or two, but it is sure as life, it is sure as death.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
It is commonly seen by experience that excellent memories do often accompany weak judgements.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
A Judge may be a farmer; but he is not to geld his own pigs. A Judge may play a little at cards for his own amusement; but he is not to play at marbles, or chuck farthing in the Piazza.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
It is with our judgments as with our watches: no two go just alike, yet each believes his own.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Everyone complains of the badness of his memory, but nobody of his judgment.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Human nature is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting situations, that a young person, who either marries or dies, is sure of being kindly spoken of.
—Jane Austen (1775–1817) English Novelist
My guiding principle is this: Guilt is never to be doubted.
—Franz Kafka (1883–1924) Austrian Novelist, Short Story Writer
We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift of penetration.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
A hasty judgment is a first step to recantation.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
But men never violate the laws of God without suffering the consequences, sooner or later.
—Lydia Maria Child (1802–80) American Abolitionist, Writer
Never judge someone by who he’s in love with; judge him by his friends. People fall in love with the most appalling people. Take a cool, appraising glance at his pals.
—Cynthia Heimel (1947–2018) American Humor Columnist, Feminist
A judgment about life has no meaning except the truth of the one who speaks last, and the mind is at ease only at the moment when everyone is shouting at once and no one can hear a thing.
—Georges Bataille (1897–1962) French Essayist, Intellectual