Quotes About Wisdom

One would not think that fish were so silly as to confuse feathers and a hook for a fly alighting on the water, but apparently fish were foolish creatures. Or perhaps they were simply very nearsighted.

So, did you need to hear that? Did you really need to know more?' Xas asked. 'Yes. It's always better to know more.' 'God help you,' Xas said with feeling.

It was a paradise of learning, and I prayed for eventual admission.

The past is very useful, but only for what if can teach us about the present. The present is the rich thing. But I am very fond of the past.

It's the reward of the business (historian), to look history in the eye & say, 'I know who you are. You can't fool me.

Si tuvieras que elegir entre la cordura, tu vida tal como la recuerdas, antes que la verdadera inestabilidad, ¿qué elegirías como manera adecuada para vivir de un estudioso?

El pasado es muy útil, pero sólo cuando puede enseñarnos algo acerca del presente. El presente es lo que cuenta. Pero me gusta mucho el pasado.

Old women who live long enough mainly count the bodies, whether we want to or not.

Ich verstehe mit achtzig was ich mit siebzig noch nicht verstehen konnte, naemlich dass man am Ende so gut wie allen vergibt, nur sich selbst nicht.

It's the reward of the business, to look history in the eye and say, 'I know who you are. You can't fool me.

It is the acceptance of death that has finally allowed me to choose life.

The Persian poet Rumi says, The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don't go back to sleep. You must ask for what you really want.

Pain is a great teacher. There's no future in hurting.

Books remember all the things you cannot contain.

Despite popular theories, I believe people fall in love based not on good looks or fate but on knowledge. Either they are amazed by something a beloved knows that they themselves do not know; or they discover a common rare knowledge; or they can supply knowledge to someone who's lacking. Hasn't everyone found a strange ignorance in someone beguiling? . . .Nowadays, trendy librarians, wanting to be important, say, Knowledge is power. I know better. Knowledge is love.

Vengeance is not justice; vengeance is not wise.

You'll find, someday, Paks found herself saying, that your own tongue cuts you worse than any blade. I

Never show how smart you are, dears, or someone will envy you.

Independence of vision is a good thing," Dorrin said. "So is thinking. But speaking and acting well require reflection—consideration.

knows you're beyond yeoman level in your knowledge

They're called cliches because they're true, you know. Besides, life is quite complicated enough...

Don't sound so surprised. I have sensible moments, you know.

A woman's instinct, I always feel, supersedes logic.

marred by deep lines of