Quotes About Wisdom

When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the task that one performs on the earth—though his eyes do not see sleep in the day or even in the night—

I saw every work of God, and that a man is unable to comprehend the work that is done under the sun. Despite his efforts to search it out, he cannot find its meaning; even if the wise man claims to know, he is unable to comprehend.

So I took all this to heart and concluded that the righteous and the wise, as well as their deeds, are in Godís hands. Man does not know what lies ahead, whether love or hate.

This is an evil in everything that is done under the sun: There is one fate for everyone. Furthermore, the hearts of men are full of evil and madness while they are alive, and afterward they join the dead.

There is hope, however, for anyone who is among the living; for even a live dog is better than a dead lion.

For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.

Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head.

Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.

I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all.

For surely no man knows his time: Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds trapped in a snare, so men are ensnared in an evil time that suddenly falls upon them.

I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it was great to me:

Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.

And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”

The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumerís oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

A wise manís heart inclines to the right, but the heart of a fool to the left.

Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

If the rulerís temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

There is an evil I have seen under the sun—an error that proceeds from the ruler:

Folly is appointed to great heights, but the rich sit in lowly positions.

I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.

He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.

The one who quarries stones may be injured by them, and he who splits logs endangers himself.