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Quotes about wisdom

352 quotes from 209 people

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The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom.
Isaac Asimov1920–1992Isaac Asimov’s Book of Science and Nature Quotations (1988), edited with Jason A. Shulman, p. 281
- Science
It’s a poor atom blaster that won’t point both ways.
Isaac Asimov1920–1992Foundation (1951), Part V, The Merchant Princes, section 18
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
We must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh, but, instead, we must be simple, humble and pure.
Francis of Assisi1182–1226“Later Admonition and Exhortation to the Brothers and Sisters of Penance,” Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, Volume 1, p. 48.
- Virtue
The wise man learns more from the fool than the fool learns from the wise man.
Marcus Aurelius121–180
Remember this⁠— that there is a proper dignity and proportion to be observed in the performance of every act of life.
Marcus Aurelius121–180IV, 32
- Advice
Whensoever by some present hard occurrences thou art constrained to be in some sort troubled and vexed, return unto thyself as soon as may be, and be not out of tune longer than thou must needs.
Marcus Aurelius121–180Meditations (c. 170–180), The Sixth BookIn context
- Advice
- Emotion
Remember, that to change thy mind upon occasion, and to follow him that is able to rectify thee, is equally ingenuous, as to find out at the first, what is right and just, without help.
Marcus Aurelius121–180Meditations (c. 170–180), The Eighth BookIn context
- Change
There are two allied powers in man; knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is so much of the truth seen in a distorted medium as the mind arrives at by groping, wisdom what the eye of divine vision sees in the spirit.
Sri Aurobindo1872–1950Jnana
- Knowledge
We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.
Jane Austen1775–1817Mansfield Park (1814), Chapter XLIIIn context
I am very sorry to be right in this instance. I would much rather have been merry than wise.
Jane Austen1775–1817Emma (1815), Volume II, Chapter XIIIn context
- Happiness
The mark of your ignorance is the depth of your belief in injustice and tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.
Richard Bachborn 1936Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah (1977)
- Change
A prudent question is one-half of wisdom.
Francis Bacon1561–1626
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.
Francis Bacon1561–1626Essays, 52. ‘Of Ceremonies and Respects’
The worst men often give the best advice.
Philip James Bailey1816–1902Festus (1839)
- Advice