We are to get wisdom and understanding, yet we are not to lean on it apart from the Lord.
—John C. Maxwell (b.1947) American Christian Professional Speaker, Author, Clergyman
Those who do not study are only cattle dressed up in men’s clothes.
—Chinese Proverb
Memory is the mother of all wisdom.
—Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) Greek Playwright
As it is with a play, so it is with life—what matters is not how long the acting lasts, but how good it is.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
I seek the truth…it is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance that does harm.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
A short saying oft contains much wisdom.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
In much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
It makes sense that no one else can cause you pain. That’s your job.
—Byron Katie (b.1942) American Speaker, Author
The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their rightful names.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
To comprehend a man’s life, it is necessary to know not merely what he does, but also what he purposely leaves undone. There is a limit to the work that can be got out of a human body or a human brain, and he is a wise man who wastes no energy on pursuits for which he is not fitted; and he is still wiser who, from among the things that he can do well, chooses and resolutely follows the best.
—William Ewart Gladstone (1809–98) English Liberal Statesman, Prime Minister
Wisdom stands at the turn in the road and calls upon us publicly, but we consider it false and despise its adherents.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
You’ve got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.
—Arthur Ashe (1943–93) American Tennis Player
With happiness comes intelligence to the heart.
—Chinese Proverb
Wise are they who have learned these truths: Trouble is temporary. Time is tonic. Tribulation is a test tube.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
One cool judgment is worth a thousand hasty counsels. The thing to do is to supply light and not heat.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time. When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, The one I feed the most. On Other Peoples Expectations: The only man who behaved sensibly was my tailor; he took my measurement anew every time he saw me, while all the rest went on with their old measurements and expected them to fit me.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
The true statesman does not despise any wisdom, howsoever lowly may be its origin.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
The wise man always throws himself on the side of his assailants. It is more his interest than it is theirs to find his weak point.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of the nonessentials.
—Lin Yutang (1895–1976) Chinese Author, Philologist
The best mind might be the wisest mind if it were a mind alone that produces wisdom.
—Unknown
For men in a state of freedom had thatch for their shelter, while slavery dwells beneath marble and gold.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Precepts or maxims are of great weight; and a few useful ones at hand do more toward a happy life than whole volumes that we know not where to find.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Some men are wise, and some are otherwise.
—Tobias Smollett (1721–71) Scottish Poet, Novelist
We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear-bought experience.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
A man’s wisdom is his best friend; folly his worst enemy.
—William Temple (1881–1944) British Clergyman, Theologian
Learn a little here and a little there, and you will increase in knowledge.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The uneducated, like an old Bull, gradually fade away. Their flesh increases but not their wisdom.
—Buddhist Teaching
Patience is the key to joy.
—Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–73) Persian Muslim Mystic