Be wiser than other people if you can, but do not tell them so.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
Men are more apt to be mistaken in their generalizations than in their particular observations.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
If you judge, investigate.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
If I had followed my better judgment always, my life would have been a very dull one.
—Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950) American Popular Author
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
The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject any thing, is not whether it have any evil in it; but whether it have more of evil, than of good. There are few things wholly evil, or wholly good. Almost everything, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgment of the preponderance between them is continually demanded.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
If you would judge, understand.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Don’t mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.
—Henry James (1843–1916) American-born British Novelist, Writer
Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Real magic in relationships means an absence of judgment of others.
—Wayne Dyer (1940–2015) American Self-Help Author
Do not judge, and you will never be mistaken.
—Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–78) Swiss-born French Philosopher
Don’t judge men’s wealth or godliness by their Sunday appearance.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
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
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
Perish discretion when it interferes with duty.
—Hannah More
Never wrestle with a strong man nor bring a rich man to court.
—Common Proverb
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
Be curious, not judgmental.
—Walt Whitman (1819–92) American Poet, Essayist, Journalist, American, Poet, Essayist, Journalist
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
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
How easy it is to judge rightly after one sees what evil comes from judging wrongly!
—Elizabeth Gaskell (1810–65) English Novelist, Short-Story Writer
For he that fights and runs away, may live to fight another day, but he, who is in battle slain, can never rise and fight again.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
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
Be advised what thou dost discourse of, and what thou maintainest whether touching religion, state, or vanity; for if thou err in the first, thou shalt be accounted profane; if in the second, dangerous; if in the third, indiscreet and foolish.
—Walter Raleigh (1552–1618) English Courtier, Navigator, Poet
Organization can never be a substitute for initiative and for judgment.
—Louis Brandeis (1856–1941) American Jurist
My salad days, when I was green in judgment.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
A man is not good or bad for one action.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
But men never violate the laws of God without suffering the consequences, sooner or later.
—Lydia Maria Child (1802–80) American Abolitionist, Writer
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