Quotes About Wisdom

You must know nothing before you can learn something, and be empty before you can be filled. Is not the emptiness of the bowl what makes it useful? As for laws, a parrot can repeat them word for word. Their spirit is something else again. As for governing, one must first be lowest before being highest.

Morgant?" Taran asked, turning a puzzled glance to Gwydion. "How can there be honor for such a man?" "It is easy to judge evil unmixed," replied Gwydion. "But, alas, in most of us good and bad are closely woven as the threads on a loom; greater wisdom than mine is needed for the judging.

It is a queer thing. In a time of great need, when powerful leadership is demanded, the people—confused and excited—hear only the strident voices of the audacious, and refuse to listen to the voice of wisdom which, being wise, is temperate.

There is truth in all things, if you understand them well.

Take this as a gift from a crone to a maiden, and know there is not so much difference between the two. For even a tottering granddam keeps a portion of girlish heart, and the youngest maiden a thread of old womans wisdom.

A crown is more discomfort than adornment. If you have learned that, you have already learned much.

Stories have a job to do. They can't just lie around like lazybone dogs. They have to teach you something.

Some stories will help you find happiness and truth. Some stories teach you not to make the same mistakes twice. These ones offer instructions.

Philosophy is for those, who feel that they can think beyond their thoughts

Gustavo Solivellas dice: "Frecuentemente hay más que aprender de las preguntas inesperadas de un niño que de los discursos de un hombre" (John Locke)

No man's knowledge can go beyond his experience.

It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of the truth.

Try all things, hold fast that which is good.

I pretend not to teach, but to inquire.

The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.

Let not men think there is no truth, but in the sciences that they study, or the books that they read.

To prejudge other men's notions before we have looked into them is not to show their darkness but to put out our own eyes.

Knowledge is grateful to the understanding, as light to the eyes.

The native and untaught suggestions of inquisitive children do often offer things, that may set a considering man's thoughts on work. And I think there is frequently more to be learn'd from the unexpected questions of a child than the discourses of men, who talk in a road, according to the notions they have borrowed, and the prejudices of their education.

The thoughts that come often unsought, and, as it were, drop into the mind, are commonly the most valuable of any we have, and therefore should be secured, because they seldom return again.

Don't be a genius, my son, it isn't good for anybody.

The old know what they want the young are sad and bewildered.

It takes a great man to give sound advice tactfully, but a greater to accept it graciously.

The denunciation of the young is a necessary part of the hygiene of older people, and greatly assists the circulation of their blood.