Quotes About Wisdom

But even in extreme old age, especially in old age, one shouldn't forget one's dick.

Justice, humanity, or political wisdom, are qualities they are too little acquainted with in themselves, to appreciate them in others. Valor will acquire their esteem, and liberality will purchase their suffrage; but the first of these merits is often lodged in the most savage breasts; the latter can only exert itself at the expense of the public; and both may be turned against the possessor of the throne, by the ambition of a daring rival.

Every man who rises above the common level has received two educations: the first from his teachers; the second more personal and important, from himself.

But as truth and reason seldom find so favourable a reception in the world, and as the wisdom of Providence frequently condescends to use the passions of the human heart, and the general circumstances of mankind, as instruments to execute its purpose; we may still be permitted, though with becoming submission, to ask, not indeed what were the first, but what were the secondary causes of the rapid growth of the Christian church. It

The libraries, which they have inherited from their fathers, are secluded, like dreary sepulchres, from the light of day.

And it was the part of a wise man to forget inevitable calamities of human life in the enjoyment of the fleeting hour.

I think if you have to think about anything very long, you've obviously done yourself an injury, as it were.

Immature thought is predominately purposive and utopian. Thought which rejects purpose altogether is the thought of old age. Mature thought combines purpose with observation and analysis.

If we can widen the range of experiences beyond what we as individuals have encountered, if we can draw upon the experiences of others who've had to confront comparable situations in the past, then - although there are no guarantees - our chances of acting wisely should increase proportionately.

Good historians...have the future in their bones

There once was a student named Bessor, Whose knowledge grew lesser and lesser. It at last grew so small He knew nothing at all, And today he's a college professor!

New Orleans is a city you must visit when you're young and foolish but return to when you're wiser and still searching for your dreams.

Today's common sense had a habit of turning into tomorrow's utter nonsense.

A man does not learn very well, Mr. Robbins. Women, yes, because they are used to bending with whatever wind comes along. A woman, no matter the age, is always learning, always becoming.

What we need is a new God. Somebody who knows what the fuck he's doing.

And to learn, he must be curious and also humble. For a proud man never learns anything.

As we grow older, we become more aware of the larger flow of life

Always remember this, Henri. Men trade for profit. They are driven by greed. But debt is about fear, and fear is stronger than greed. The true power, the weapon that defeats all others, is debt. Fools search for gold. The wise man studies debt. That is the key to all business.

Was this the triumph of self-knowledge: to suffer more lucidly?

Every paradise demands a serpent.

And then the old exhortations would come out: observe everything…trust nobody…despise your mother…effort is vulgar…things were better in the eighteenth century.

When the fear of the Lord matures in you, Christ becomes irresistible.

Hope will only grow in the ground of humility.

Augustine wrote, "That first way [to truth] is humility; the second way is humility, and the third way is humility."1 If humility does not precede our wisdom and help, our efforts are meaningless. Paul, it seems, would agree. Life in Christ starts with humility.