Quotes on Wise

Such is the nature of men, that howsoever they may acknowledge many others to be more witty, or more eloquent, or more learned; yet they will hardly believe there be many so wise as themselves.

But wise is the man who disdains no character, but with searching glance explores him to the root and cause of all.

Anne laughed and sighed. She felt very old and mature and wise — which showed how young she was.

I cannot conceive of a greater loss than the loss of one's self-respect.

The complexities of adult life get in the way of the truth. The great philosophers have always been able to clear away the complexities and see simple distinctions - simple once they are stated, vastly difficult before. If we are to follow them we too must be childishly simple in our questions - and maturely wise in our replies.

No, that is the great fallacy: the wisdom of old men. They do not grow wise. They grow careful.

I forget who it was that recommended men for their soul's good to do each day two things they disliked: it was a wise man, and it is a precept that I have followed scrupulously; for every day I have got up and I have gone to bed.

Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.

My method is to take the utmost trouble to find the right thing to say, and then to say it with the utmost levity.

Self-esteem comes from being able to define the world in your own terms and refusing to abide by the judgments of others.

Have you never heard what the wise men say: all of the future exists in the past.

The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful then a thousand heads bowing in prayer.

Wise men, when in doubt whether to speak or to keep quiet, give themselves the benefit of the doubt, and remain silent.

If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.

You don't know who is important to you until you actually lose them.

Through neglect, ignorance, or inability, the new intellectual Borgias cram hairballs down our throats and refuse us the convulsion that could make us well. They have forgotten, if they ever knew, the ancient knowledge that only by being truly sick can one regain health. Even beasts know when it is good and proper to throw up. Teach me how to be sick then, in the right time and place, so that I may again walk in the fields and with the wise and smiling dogs know enough to chew sweet grass.

Advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.

Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.

Distance lends enchantment to the view.

They cannot take away our self-respect if we do not give it to them.

We, ignorant of ourselves, Beg often our own harms, which the wise powers Deny us for our good; so find we profit By losing of our prayers.