Famous quotes
Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,158,808 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
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Wisdom
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“Every fool will be meddling.”
The Bible (active around 812) bartlett, Public domain source
“Answer a fool according to his folly.”
The Bible (active around 812) bartlett, Public domain source
“Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.”
The Bible (active around 812) bartlett, Public domain source
“As the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool.”
The Bible (active around 812) bartlett, Public domain source
“A screenwriter is wise to have a life elsewhere.”
Frederic Raphael (born 1931) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Where is the proof, said I, that daemons may not be subjected to the control of men? This truth may be distorted and debased in the minds of the ignorant. The dogmas of the vulgar, with regard to this subject, are glaringly absurd; but though these may justly be neglected by the wise, we are scarcely justified in totally rejecting the possibility that man may obtain supernatural aid.”
Charles Brockden Brown (1771–1810) said by 1810 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A little too wise, they say, do ne’er live long.”
Thomas Middleton (1580–1627) said by 1627 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Also quoted by: Francis Bacon
“No, not Jove Himself, at one time, can be wise and love.”
Robert Herrick (poet) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The assembled souls of all that men held wise.”
William Davenant (1606–1668) first seen 1650 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Gondibert (1650), Book ii. Canto v. Stanza 37.
Also quoted by: Sir William Davenant
“Only a little while now and we shall be again together and with us those other noble and well-beloved souls gone before. I am sure I shall meet you and them; that you and I shall talk of a thousand things and of that unforgettable day and of all that followed it; and that we shall clearly see that all were parts of an infinite plan which was wholly wise and good.”
Richard Maurice Bucke (1837–1902) said by 1902 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“These blossoms, gathered in familiar paths, With dear companions now passed out of sight, Shall not be laid upon their graves. They live, Since love is deathless. Pleasure now nor pride Is theirs in mortal wise, but hallowing thoughts Will meet the offering, of so little worth, Wanting the benison death has made divine.”
Lucy Larcom (1824–1893) said by 1893 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There patient show'd us the wise course to steer, A candid censor, and a friend severe; There taught us how to live; and (oh! too high The price for knowledge) taught us how to die.”
Thomas Tickell (1685–1740) first seen 1721 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On the Death of Mr. Addison (1721), line 81. Compare: "He who should teach men to die, would at the same time teach them to live", Michel de Montaigne, Essay, book i. chap. ix.; "I have taught you, my dear flock, for ab…
“Wise poets, that wrapt Truth in tales, Knew her themselves through all her veils.”
Thomas Carew (1594–1640) said by 1640 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Pierre Trudeau was too much of a professional politician to be described as a good man, nor, it can be argued despite much publicity to the contrary, was he a particularly clever or even wise one. But he was a great man, perhaps the greatest Canada has produced in this century.”
Peter Brimelow (born 1947) first seen 1986 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Patriot Game (1986)
“Daz schuof iedoch ein wîse man, daz alter guot solde hân. jugent hât vil werdekeit, daz alter siuften unde leit. ez enwart nie niht als unfruot, sô alter unde armuot.”
Wolfram von Eschenbach (1170–1220) said by 1220 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Human opinions are formed by accident and hardened by repetition. We cling to acquired opinions only because they give the illusion of being wise opinions. This creates division and hostility between people.”
Vernon Howard (1918–1992) said by 1992 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Since ever and ever the world began They danced like a ribbon of flame, They have sung their song through the centuries long, And yet it is never the same. And though you be foolish or though you be wise, With hair of silver or gold, You can never be as young as the fairies are, And never be as old.”
Rose Fyleman (1877–1957) said by 1957 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But Brandoch Daha said lightly, "Fear not, my Lord Gro, we'll reject no honest redes of so wise a counsellor as thou. But," and here was a light in the eye of him made Gro startle, "did any man with serious intent dare bid me do a dastard deed, he should have my sword through the dearest part of's body.”
Eric Rücker Eddison (1882–1945) said by 1945 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Of all those arts in which the wise excel, Nature’s chief masterpiece is writing well.”
John Sheffield, 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normanby (1647–1721) said by 1721 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Essay on Poetry (published 1723).
Also quoted by: Sheffield, Duke Of Buckinghamshire
“I said I knew a very wise man so much of Sir Christopher's sentiment, that he believed if a man were permitted to make all the ballads he need not care who should make the laws of a nation, and we find that most of the ancient legislators thought that they could not well reform the manners of any city without the help of a lyric, and sometimes of a dramatic poet.”
Andrew Fletcher (1655–1716) first seen 1703 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: An ACCOUNT of A CONVERSATION concerning A RIGHT REGULATION of GOVERNMENTS For the common Good of Mankind: In A LETTER to the Marquiss of Montrose , the Earls of Rothes, Roxburg and Haddington , From London the first of …
“Louis deliberately chose someone who hadn’t been to university because theories of animal behaviour at that time were very rigid, and Louis didn’t want someone whose mind was biased in that way. Wise man. But still I had the responsibility to prove myself. I remember looking up at the hills and wondering, “Can I do it?”
Jane Goodall (1934–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We proceeded from the knowledge that we would have to fight a battle-wise, strong and stubborn enemy.”
Georgy Zhukov (1896–1974) said by 1974 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Got a message from a wise man No one gets to choose But it's still a secret No one tells us how easily we bruise And while we try to understend Life is making other plans.”
“My blessed California, you are so wise. You render death abstract, efficient, clean. Your afterlife is only real estate, And in his kingdom Death must stay unseen.”
Dana Gioia (born 1950) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Old folks love to seem wise- and if you are silly enough to correspond with grey hairs, take the consequence.”
Ignatius Sancho (1729–1780) first seen 1778 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: (from vol 2, letter 1: some time in 1778, to Mr J___ W___e ).
“A wise economy- without avaricious meanness, or dirty rapacity will in a few years render you decently independent.”
Ignatius Sancho (1729–1780) first seen 1777 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: (from vol 2, letter 13: 29 Nov 1778, to Mr S___ in Madras) [this Mr S___ was Julius Soubise, former London playboy, who slowly made a new life for himself in India after fleeing England in 1777 due to a rape accusation]
“Robespierre listened to me with terror. He grew pale and silent for some time. This interview confirmed me in the opinion that I always had of him, that he unites the knowledge of a wise senator with the integrity of a thoroughly good man and the zeal of a true patriot but that he is lacking as a statesman in clearness of vision and determination.”
Jean-Paul Marat (1743–1793) said by 1793 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To form a truly free constitution, that’s to say, truly just and wise, the first point, the main point, the capital point, is that all the laws be agreed on by the people, after considered reflection, and especially having taken time to see what’s at stake…”
Jean-Paul Marat (1743–1793) first seen 1792 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Camille Desmoulins (1792-06-24) in Œuvres de Desmoulins p. 76ff
“If you're looking at the Bible for a guide to living a compassionate, wise and humane life, well, frankly you've got more chance of finding a lap dancing club in Mecca or a virgin in a catholic orphanage.”
Pat Condell (born 1949) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: What have I got against religion?" (4 March 2007)
“The bottle-nosed whale is a furlong long, And likewise wise But headstrong strong”
Michael Flanders (1922–1975) said by 1975 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If only I could have a dozen churchmen as wise and as well taught in all human knowledge as were Jerome and Augustine!”
Charlemagne (742–814) said by 814 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Notker the Stammerer De Carolo Magno, Bk. 1, sect. 9; translation from Einhard and Notker the Stammerer (trans. Lewis Thorpe) Two Lives of Charlemagne (1969) p. 102.; O utinam haberem duodecim clericos ita doctos, omniq…
“American stories, burning before me I'm feeling helpless, the damsels are depressed Boys will be boys then, where are the wise men? Darling, I'm scared.”
Taylor Swift (born 1989) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Th' Eternal Mind, ev'n Heathens understood, Was Infinitely Powerful, Wise, and Good. In their Conceptions, who conceiv'd aright, These Three Essential Attributes unite. They saw that, wanting any of the Three, Such an All-perfect Being could not be.”
John Byrom (1692–1763) said by 1763 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Children are the keys of Paradise. … They alone are good and wise, Because their thoughts, their very lives, are prayer.”
Richard Henry Stoddard (1825–1903) said by 1903 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Youth is always right. Those who follow the counsels of youth are wise.”
Stefan Zweig (1881–1942) said by 1942 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When I crashed my BMW and managed to walk away pretty much unscathed, it was a turning point. I'd been living the life, and when people see photos of the car wreck, they can't believe I got away with it. It was like a fog had lifted. I stopped drinking a bottle of Tequila before grabbing my car keys. It was time to wise-up and get a haircut.”
Johnny Marr (born 1963) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: from "The Smiths: Johnny Marr looks back", The Independent (24 February 2006).
“He had seen trances before — wise men far in the east, who could feign death; a herbwife as she bent over her patient, searching for invisible hurts. But this was different. He could sense something here, within the circle cast by the light of the fire. A presence. Presences...”
Charles de Lint (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For one who has not lived even a single lifetime, you are a wise man, Van Helsing.”
Garrett Fort (1900–1945) said by 1945 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Hindus believe with regard to God that he is one, eternal, without beginning and end, acting by free-will, almighty, all-wise, living, giving life, ruling, preserving; one who in his sovereignty is unique, beyond all likeness and unlikeness, and that he does not resemble anything nor does anything resemble him.”
Al-Biruni (973–1048) said by 1048 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Vol. I, p. 27, quoted in , “The dharma of Islam and the dīn of Hinduism: Hindus and Muslims in the age of Śivājī”, International Journal of Hindu Studies, vol. 3, no. 3, 1999.
“My loving children, my children who were created with God's beauty, my wise children, whatever difficulty you may have, do not ever leave His charge. Just as the prophets of God kept their faith firm and were tolerant in spite of the problems they had, no matter what difficulties you may experience, be tolerant, be forbearant and embrace all living things as your own life.”
Bawa Muhaiyaddeen (1900–1986) said by 1986 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Tree That Fell To The West: Autobiography of a Sufi (2003)
“The Commons, faithful to their system, remained in a wise and masterly inactivity.”
James Mackintosh (1765–1832) first seen 1791 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Vindiciæ Gallicæ (1791).
Also quoted by: Sir James Mackintosh
“It was our fathers who said, not I - a crown is a burden when the king visits his favourite's chambers. When the king's wrapper falls off in audience, wise men know he wants to be left alone.”
Wole Soyinka (born 1934) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The ostrich also sports plumes but I've yet to see that wise bird leave the ground.”
Wole Soyinka (born 1934) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“One proposed solution to the Fermi Paradox is that intelligent species actively try to conceal their presence, to avoid being targeted by hostile invaders. Speaking as a member of a species that has been driven nearly to extinction by humans, I can attest that this is a wise strategy.”
Ted Chiang (born 1967) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In future, Clarissa," he said, "it might be wise to mention that you already have a man in your bed, to avoid such tedious situations.”
Cassandra Clare (born 1973) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The wise one does not speak to one whom he fears he shall be belied, he does not ask anyone of anything if he fears he shall not give, and he does not repose hope on one whom he does not trust.”
Husayn ibn Ali (626–680) said by 680 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The sleep of a wise man is far better than the worship of an ignorant one during the night.”
Musa al-Kadhim (745–799) said by 799 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Consultation with a wise advisor is a blessing, grace, guidance and success.”
Musa al-Kadhim (745–799) said by 799 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The pious will be deemed insane, and the impious wise; the madman will be thought a brave man, and the wicked will be esteemed as good.”
Apuleius (125–170) said by 170 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“On women Nature did bestow two eyes, Like heaven's bright lamps, in matchless beauty shining, Whose beams do soonest captivate the wise, And wary heads, made rare by art's refining”
Robert Greene (dramatist) first seen 1592 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Philomela (1592); Dyce, p. 315