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Quotes about wisdom

352 quotes from 209 people

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Science without philosophy, facts without perspective and valuation, cannot save us from havoc and despair. Science gives us knowledge, but only philosophy can give us wisdom.
Will Durant1885–1981The Story of Philosophy (1926)
- Philosophy
- Science
When an old and distinguished person speaks to you, listen to him carefully and with respect — but do not believe him. Never put your trust into anything but your own intellect.
Linus Pauling1901–1994Linus Pauling: Scientist and Peacemaker (2001) by Clifford Mead and Thomas Hager.
- Advice
- Age
It took untold generations to get you where you are. A little gratitude might be in order. If you’re going to insist on bending the world to your way, you better have your reasons.
Jordan Petersonborn 196212 Rules for Life (2017), p. 242
- Advice
When a wise man does not understand, he says: “I do not understand.” The fool and the uncultured are ashamed of their ignorance. They remain silent when a question could bring them wisdom.
Frank Herbert1920–1986The Godmakers (1972)
In youth men are apt to write more wisely than they really know or feel; and the remainder of life may be not idly spent in realizing and convincing themselves of the wisdom which they uttered long ago.
Nathaniel Hawthorne1804–1864The Snow-Image, and Other Tales, Preface (1852)
- Writing
- Youth
When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake. But don’t make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles ‘em.
Harper Lee1926–2016To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), Pt. 1, Ch. 9 (Atticus Finch)
- Advice
- Children
Love is wise – Hatred is foolish.
Bertrand Russell1872–1970Interview, Face to Face, BBC (1959)
- Love
Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.
George Orwell1903–1950Review of A Coat of Many Colours: Occasional Essays by Herbert Read, Poetry Quarterly (Winter 1945)
- Age
- Intelligence
Don’t avoid the cliches — they are cliches because they work!
George Lucasborn 1944Comment at the Imagineering offices of Disney, on Star Tours simulators (1985), quoted in “The Imagineering Way: Ideas to Ignite your Creativity” (2003) by Marty Sklar
- Advice
- Writing
You should think of your energy as if it’s expensive, as if it’s like a luxury item. Not everyone can afford it.
Taylor Swiftborn 1989New Heights podcast (13 August 2025)
- Advice
At 70 years old, if I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to use the words “fuck off” much more frequently.
Helen Mirrenborn 1945The Mail on Sunday (September 2015); reproduced in “Quote Unquote,” The Stage (17 September 2015)
- Advice
- Age
You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
Steve Jobs1955–2011Stanford University commencement address (12 June 2005)
- Advice
- Motivation & Goals
When people grow wise in one direction, they are sure to make it easier for themselves to grow wise in other directions as well.
Isaac Asimov1920–1992The Roving Mind (1983), Ch. 25
- Knowledge
I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972Interview with Margaret Truman, sitting in for host Edward R. Murrow, on Person to Person, CBS Television (May 27, 1955)
- Advice
- Children
He who is in love is wise and is becoming wiser, sees newly every time he looks at the object beloved, drawing from it with his eyes and his mind those virtues which it possesses.
Ralph Waldo Emerson1803–1882The Method of Nature (1841), p. 25
- Love