quotations about wisdom
The first point of wisdom is to discern what is false; the second, to know what is true.
LACTANTIUS
attributed, Day's Collacon
The trouble is that conventional wisdom is invariably wrong.
JOHN THORNHILL
review, "The Fourth Industrial Revolution", Financial Times, January 17, 2016
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
Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
King Lear
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
It's surprising how much wisdom every man possesses -- if not for his own affairs, then for the affairs of others.
EVAN ESAR
20,000 Quips & Quotes
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
Man thinks
Brutes have no wisdom, since they know not his:
Can we divine their world?
GEORGE ELIOT
The Spanish Gypsy
Some would be sages if they did not believe they were so already.
BALTASAR GRACIAN
The Art of Worldly Wisdom
Wisdom is not copyrighted. You have to become it.
SAMUEL AVITAL
attributed, "Intro: Wisdom is Not Copyrighted", Walking Kabbalah
If you are wise, all men will be your friends and kindred, for you will be useful.
PLATO
Lysis
Wise men, though all laws were abolished, would lead the same lives.
ARISTOPHANES
attributed, Day's Collacon
'Tis held that sorrow makes us wise.
ALFRED TENNYSON
"In Memoriam A. H. H."
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
One of the characteristics of a great leader is wisdom, and the best way to get wisdom is through experience. Normally that experience includes a few failures -- that's where battle scars and limps come from.
INGAR GREV
"Here's why companies don't want to hire people over the age of 40", Biz Journals, January 26, 2016
At one time we had wisdom, but little knowledge. Now we have a great deal of knowledge, but do we have enough wisdom to deal with that knowledge?
JONAS SALK
interview, Academy of Achievement, May 16, 1991
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
Wise sayings often fall on barren ground.
ARTHUR HELPS
Thoughts in the Cloister and the Crowd
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