Quotes About Wisdom

Nothing to be done really about animals. Anything you do looks foolish. The answer isn't in us. It's almost as if we're put here on earth to show how silly they aren't.

The things that matter don't necessarily make sense.

Destiny is not to be trifled with. Do not commit the tragic error of satisfying present appetite at the cost of future fulfilment

In politics we do well to abide by precedent and precept and even prejudice, for the great mysterious incorporation of the human race has acquired a prescriptive wisdom far greater than any man's petty private rationality.

freedom can be achieved and retained only by sober men who take humanity as it is, not as humanity should be.

The word 'philosopher' means 'lover of wisdom.' Also there is a Greek word to describe the philosopher's opponent: that word is 'philodoxer,' meaning 'lover of opinion'--that is, an opinionated man suffering from vain wishes, who passionately pursues illusion. Out of the doxa, the false opinion fanatically held, comes disorder in the soul and disorder in the body politic.

But wisdom is not got through shouting-matches within one generation.

In the Middle Ages, as in Classical times, the academy possessed freedom unknown to other bodies and persons because the philosopher, the scholar, and the student were looked upon as men consecrated to the service of the Truth; and that Truth was not simply a purposeless groping after miscellaneous information , but a wisdom to be obtained, however imperfectly, from a teleological search.

Conservatives respect the wisdom of their ancestors...they are dubious of wholesale alteration. They think society is a spiritual reality, possessing an eternal life but a delicate constitution: it cannot be scrapped and recast as if it were a machine

Worse still, what future have a people whose schooling has enabled them, at best, to ascertain the price of everything—but the value of nothing?

These men were not servants, but masters; not the agents of community, but seekers after divine love and wisdom. They undertook their work with high consecration. And the academy or the university was a place consecrated to the apprehension of an order more than human and a duty more than mundane.

Prudence is the foundation of all true statesmanship; in its political application, prudence is the application of principles to particular circumstances.

Cynicism is the intellectual cripple's substitute for intelligence.

The only gracious way to accept an insult is to ignore it; if you can't ignore it, top it; if you can't top it, laugh at it; if you can't laugh at it, it's probably deserved.

That's because the truth is, the only things that are going to bring lasting happiness to your life are good health and knowledge of self, which lead to a compassionate relationship with the world.

People who know better do better. If

Doctor Who: You want weapons? We're in a library. Books are the best weapon in the world. This room's the greatest arsenal we could have. Arm yourself! (from Tooth and Claw in Season 2)

You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world.

Clever father, clever daughter; clever mother, clever son.

The church is close, but the road is icey. The tavern is far, but I will walk carefully.

Better bread with water than cake with trouble.

Do not spit in the well - you may be thirsty by and by.

There is no shame in not knowing; the shame lies in not finding out.

I've learned long ago that a generous person who is wise will never lack for anything.