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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“[Predation is] a great evil that a wise or benevolent creator would have avoided.”
Alexander Skutch (1904–2004) first seen 1993 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Imperative Call", American Birds, Vol. 47, Iss. 1 (Spring 1993), p. 31
“'The dove is not a coward to fear the hawk; it is simply wise.'”
John Wyndham (1903–1969) said by 1969 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“'The wise lamb does not enrage the lion,' he said. 'It placates him, plays for time, and hopes for the best.'”
John Wyndham (1903–1969) said by 1969 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have seen unlearned men who were truly humble, and they became wiser than the wise.”
Marcus Eremita (360–430) said by 430 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is absolutely essential that you rid yourself of this absurd idea that I am a criminal or that I have criminal instincts. I am a lawyer who respects the law. Illegality is for the immature and the foolish. The wise man has no need of it.”
Eric Ambler (1909–1998) said by 1998 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Which brings up a small matter I want to discuss.” I said nothing. When your superiors bring up small matters they want to discuss, it’s always wise to maintain a watchful silence. I know of no small matters that make pleasant conversation.”
Harold Livingston (1924–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Every Porter was required to see a therapist on a regular basis. It seemed a wise precaution for people who routinely rewrote the laws of existence to suit their whims.”
Jim C. Hines (born 1974) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“O my God, so good and tender and kind, dear friend, wise counselor, powerful support, how heartless and rash is the man who rejects you, who casts from his heart so humble and gentle a guest!”
Guigo II (1114–1193) said by 1193 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But test too many things To find the “whys” and “wherefores” This is not wise! It is not right! Accept. There is a reason.”
Lucy Barfield (1935–2003) said by 2003 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“How about this then, Peter,” she said. “You’ve been part of something that no wizard has ever been part of before. You know something that’s not in their books.” I wanted to say that lots of things weren’t in the libraries of the wise, including plate tectonics, molecular biology and the complete works of J. K. Rowling. But she’d probably say that I was missing the point.”
Ben Aaronovitch (born 1964) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“No words, however wise, could explain the awfulness of the death, not while the living were firmly attached to love, child-bearing, child-rearing, hunger, struggle, and the sunrise of tomorrow. Life had to flow all the time, for the living, like water in a stream.”
Bessie Head (1937–1986) said by 1986 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What would happen if the population decreased drastically and there was a war with some country? Messing with nature is not wise, it will only cause harm. Who can stop what Allah wants to create? He will be born. Whether poor or rich, everyone gets food by the mercy of Allah. There will be no benefit from the population law.” added Barq.”
Shafiqur Rahman Barq (1930–2024) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Jul 2021 ‘Giving birth to multiple kids is our birthright and Allah’s law’
“Ramdas, to be fair to him, also recommended moderation:'Extremes should be always avoided, one should act according to situations. The wise should never be fanatical.. Times change, rigid rules do not always help; in politics theoretical consistency is misleading.’”
Samarth Ramdas (1608–1681) said by 1681 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: quoted in Sharma, "THE FOUNDING OF MARATHA FREEDOM" also in Jain, M. (2010). Parallel pathways: Essays on Hindu-Muslim relations, 1707-1857. chapter V.
“Everything happens for a reason, but I believe Zimbabwe will be O.K..', When listening to a voice so wise and gentle, it is hard not to believe.”
Stella Chiweshe (1946–2023) said by 2023 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To be a good politician you must be wise like a snake, calm like a dove and kind like an angel.”
Fumilayo Ransome (1900–1978) said by 1978 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And without further argument he unsheathed the sword and cleaved Miss Foxe's head from her neck. He knew what was supposed to happen. He knew that this awkward, whispering creature before him should now transform into a princess - dazzlingly beautiful, free, and made wise by her hardship.”
Helen Oyeyemi (born 1984) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.”
“No hard feelings, no tears, no pain. No hard feelings, no fears remain. I could see you slowly drifting away like a vision into the wall but I've got no hard feelings, I've got no feelings at all. No hard feelings, no cold goodbyes. No hard feelings, too old and wise. "And what happened to forever?", they say, "A lifetime seems so small." But I've got no hard feelings, I've got no feelings at all.”
John Miles (1949–2021) said by 2021 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You're on your own, back on the street, out in the cold you feel the heat. One way ticket to nowhere at your feet. Take what you need, a word to the wise: only the weak need alibis. Stakes are too high, zero again, no second chances at the end. Run, tell me where you're gonna run to? Run, oh, oh, oh where you gonna run to? Where you gonna run?”
John Miles (1949–2021) said by 2021 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Consider how wise and careful you must be. Do not gamble with your eternal fate.”
Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807–1867) said by 1867 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There are secrets that we Still have left to find. There have been mysteries From the beginning of time. There are answers We're not wise enough to see. He said, "You're looking for a clue I love you free.”
Five for Fighting (born 1965) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The United States has no right to expect that it will always have wise and humane rulers, sincerely attached to the principles of the Constitution. Instead, wicked men, ambitious of power, with hatred of liberty and contempt of law, may fill the place once occupied by Washington and Lincoln.”
David Davis (justice) first seen 1866 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 1866-04-03, opinion in Ex parte Milligan
“Elected officials would be wise to always keep at the center of the debate the critical importance and meaning of American citizenship. Any laws passed in response to the crisis that debases the concept of citizenship will be to our peril, and laws that strengthen our sense of citizenship will be passed to our great benefit for generations of Americans to come.”
Jay Webber (born 1972) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The real meaning of American citizenship (3 November 2018)
“Coaching teaches me a lot; mentally, it’s helping, but skill-wise, no. The juniors have the same problems every day, you have to remind them all the time. Adult players know their problems, so you don’t need to remind them every day, every single shot.”
Beiwen Zhang (born 1990) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Beiwen Zhang – Adapting To Every Challenge" in Badminton Pan America (15 December 2020)
“The wise man does not defy necessity.”
L. Sprague de Camp (1907–2000) said by 2000 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Not even a god, they say, could be at once wise and in love.”
L. Sprague de Camp (1907–2000) said by 2000 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I wish that the congressional opponents of FEPC could ask the helpless hulks of men in New Mexico, the prisoners who survived the death march and the salt mines of Japan, if it was wise-not right, mind you-to keep the man-power represented by thirteen million Negroes and some two million Mexican-Americans out of the defense plants because of color or race.”
Dennis Chávez (1888–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This nomination belongs to you, gentlemen. Are you eager so soon to give up your privileges? If I do not abuse the confidence with which you honour me today, someone else will abuse it tomorrow. Nature has provided you with abundant reason and good sense and you would be wise always to use them and look with a certain suspicion on power vested in a single individual.”
Pasquale Paoli (1725–1807) first seen 1725 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks at the Congress of Orezza opposing the resolution that proposed that Paoli should designate two Commissioners who would carry to Paris the thanks of the National Assembly for the freedom and the institutions tha…
“My mother was a very wise woman; she had the fundamental principles of respect for life, respect for our nature, for the worldview; she was a great believer in nature, in the wacas, in the illas; she guided me in the life of our peoples.”
Rafael Quispe (born 1969) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quispe: No creo que lleguemos al poder este 2014" in ERBOL (4 November 2013).
“I believe it is not wise to fall into the temptation of retaliations, which become a vicious circle in which everyone loses.”
Giorgia Meloni (born 1977) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: ANSA/No security by dividing EU from U.S. says Meloni. ANSA (March 18, 2025).
“More pats his arm. “Have you no plans to marry again, Thomas? No? Perhaps wise. My father always says, choosing a wife is like putting your hand into a bag full of writhing creatures, with one eel to six snakes. What are the chances you will pull out the eel?”
Hilary Mantel (1952–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Prohibition, whether of the use of alcohol or anything else we may want or wish to do, will never develop in us or any people self control, a sense of social responsibility, or the ability to make wise choices for ourselves.”
Esther Loring Richards (1885–1956) first seen 1931 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Woman Scientist Decries Dry Law; Dr. Esther Richards, Psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins, Joins Reform Organization". The New York Times. 1931-04-12. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
“I have been playing for over a decade in the national team and also as the skipper. I’m very satisfied having made sacrifices, good efforts, mistakes and wise choices, and I want to thank Batswana who have been supportive.”
Bonang Otlhagile (born 1986) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Not all women are the same, there are very kind hearted wise women.”
Aderounmu Adejumoke (1984–2024) said by 2024 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It’s like the old and the new me merged together. Sound-wise, it’s probably what people want to hear from me.”
Seyi Shay (born 1985) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Sound Sultan defended me in times of trouble –Seyi Shay. 17 October 2021, Punch Newspaper.
“The starting point for building great relationships is making wise decisions about who we allow close to us. We need people who will build us up and take us forward, and good friends will do just that.”
Bobbie Houston (born 1957) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I knew the Cardinal Rule of Experiments from Master Urion’s house: The wise mage never tampers with the order of things unless his circumstances are such that the worst possible result of the experiment will be no more disastrous than not performing the experiment at all.”
Esther Friesner (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“After years of political and technical services, I thought it wise to continue serving the government in the Senate; and contesting in Kigali was to continue serving the region and the people I have served for many years. I know the people of Kigali and their needs.”
Jeanne d'Arc Gakuba first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Education and health as priorities, The New Times (September 23, 2011)
“While I believe that schools are key players when it comes to inspiring more women to join technology, I also believe that it needs to be a collective effort to encourage and inspire women to join Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, (STEM). With the 4th Industrial Revolution catching up on us, it is only wise to have more women embrace technology,”
Claudette Irere first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: , The World Economic Forum kicked off yesterday, in Kigali Rwanda. Under the theme, Connecting Africa’s Resources through Digital Transformation, the forum calls for recognition of Information Communication Technology (…
“Undervaluing someone’s book is like trampling the brain of a wise person.”
Yolande Mukagasana (born 1954) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Meet Mukagasana, an author inspired by her Genocide scars newtimes.co.rw (September 20, 2026)
“I don't really have a vested interest in what they do career-wise, so long as it's neither destructive to their bodies nor illegal. And hopefully not destructive to other people's bodies either.”
Jennifer Connelly (born 1970) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The sphere of a wise woman is beyond herself, beyond her family, beyond the human community, embracing the planet, mothering the earth.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer (born 1953) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“They were also the people who were active in the various community organizations that they had helped set up. Newer residents consisted of men and women some of whom had previously lived in Nigeria, Gabon or another African country. They had arrived in Canada by way of Italy, Belgium or Holland, often with no valid documents (see also Konadu-Agyemang on “step-wise migration” in this issue).”
Takyiwaa Manuh (born 1952) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It would be wise if government revived the cooperatives so as to enable coffee farmers to have a collective voice partaking to coffee production.”
Muwenda Mutebi II of Buganda (born 1955) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Kabaka speaks out on coffee, Article by The Independent, 31 July 2022
“A good administrator of God's temporal goods will have the docility and humility to listen to wise counsel and to follow that counsel prudently so that all things proceed as they should according to God's plan of building up the Kingdom.”
Carl Alan Kemme (born 1960) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Bishop Kemme tells seminarians to hone their listening skills (17 August 2021) Diocese of Wichita
“I could only read the delay as a dramatic pause. Theatrics. Or diplomacy; wise men throughout history had already noticed that sometimes there wasn’t much of a difference between the two.”
Adam-Troy Castro (born 1960) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I have a plan.” “What kind of plan?” “A daring and bold one,” he said. “Is that wise?” “It has to be that kind of plan. It’s that kind of cosmos.”
Matthew Hughes (writer) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Often, when a stranger says, ‘Trust me,’ a wise man puts his hand on his purse and backs away.”
Matthew Hughes (writer) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There are two ways to approach Jesus: with the approach of "the wise" who doubt his words, or with that of simple people, who give witness to the miracles of Christ and have eyes to see the Awaited.”
Giuseppe Bertello (born 1942) first seen 2012 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Bertello, the faith of the simple and the miracles of Jesus (4 April 2012) 30 Days
“I want to continue being in the athletics, and that is why I saw it wise to change from track to the marathon and road races.”
Viola Kibiwot (born 1983) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Viola Kibiwot set for marathon debut", Nation, July 04, 2020.