Wise quotes
5.1K quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.
Explore further
Browse quotes that often appear alongside wise — connected by shared ideas and recurring themes.
Quote collection
Follow a thought to its author, or read the full quote page.
"The key to all aristeia and wisdom and gnosis is a seed that conformist and mediocritist and democratist Americans haven't got even a scintilla of a prospect of nourishing, and that is sapere aude: DARE TO BE WISE."
"It is never wise to slip the bands of discipline."
"He that is overcautious will accomplish little."
"To live is to dream, and to dream pleasantly is to be wise."
"A childlike mind in its simplicity practises that science of good to which the wise may be blind."
"Reason is not like the goods sold in the market places--the more plentiful they are, the less they are worth. Reason's worth waxes with her abundance. But were she sold in the market, it is only the wise man who would understand her true value."
"Whether they be old or young, rich or poor, high or low, wise or foolish, ignorant or learned, every individual is seen to be strongly actuated by a desire to be seen, heard, talked of, approved and respected... a passion for distinction."
"The word enchant comes from the Latin 'incantare', meaning to sing or chant magical words or sounds."
"A fool has more ideas than a wise man can foresee."
"Men are not conditioned to be less powerful than a woman. It will be the wise woman who realizes this and is sensitive to that issue."
"A large number of deaf, crippled and blind people are afflicted solely through the malice of the demon. And one must in no wise doubt that plagues, fevers and every sort of evil come from him."
"A wise man sees as much as he ought, not as much as he can."
"The wise hand does not all the tongue dictates."
"Her kitsch was the image of home, all peace, quiet, and harmony, and ruled by a loving mother and a wise father. It was an image that took shape in her after the death of her parents. The less her life resembled the sweetest of dreams, the more sensitive she was to its magic, and more than once she shed tears when the ungrateful daughter in a sentimental film embraced the neglected father as the windows of the happy family's house shone out into the dying day."
"You have never seen greatness in a Presidency; I have. It was a rich kid who you would think had every reason to be a horse's ass - Franklin Roosevelt. He was humane and wise and resourceful. He was called a traitor to his class. With George Bush, that charge would never stick."
"If you use disappointments as sort of mid- semester exams, for learning, you will learn that every disappointment you overcome makes you stronger- and wiser. The greatest success stories have been lived by those who had to grow strong and wise in that very way."
"…to the inspiration of necessity, we owe half the wise, beautiful, and useful blessings of the world."
"Wealth is certainly a most desirable thing, but poverty has its sunny side, and one of the sweet uses of adversity is the genuine satisfaction which comes from hearty work of head or hand, and to the inspiration of necessity, we owe half the wise, beautiful, and useful blessings of the world."
"It is safe to look within. As I move through the layers of other people's opinions and beliefs, I see within myself a magnificent being, wise and beautiful. I love what I see in me."
"In any case, the most lively young people become the best old people, not those who pretend to be as wise as grandfathers while they are still at school."
