Quotes by famous people, credited to who said them. Your own quotes must not match any of these. More are added all the time. 1,161,747 quotes Who coined it · How we decide
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Wisdom
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“My parents did a tremendous job in raising me and my sister. It seemed as if they always had just the right things to say to us. One nugget of wisdom that empowered me through most of my teens was this: "Sean, there are many things you won't be able to do in your life because of your physical condition, so get busy finding the things you can do.”
Sean Stephenson (1979–2019) said by 2019 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Perhaps that is the only wisdom there really is, young Mage: that our choices matter.”
John G. Hemry (born 1956) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Wisdom this day seemed to involve telling someone else something that they did not want to hear.”
John G. Hemry (born 1956) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Perhaps we can build a world where there is more wisdom and less suffering.”
John G. Hemry (born 1956) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Wisdom does not lie in accepting what the illusion shows us. It lies in trying to change the illusion in favor of what is real.”
John G. Hemry (born 1956) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This is it: "There are two words for everything." Surely that is wisdom! The whole theory of party politics is in it, for one thing; and indeed all argument.”
E. V. Lucas (1868–1938) said by 1938 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Oxford, Cambridge and the other elite universities are the guardians of intellectual life. They cannot teach the qualities that people need in politics and business. Nor can they teach culture and wisdom, any more than theologians teach holiness, philosophers goodness or sociologists a blueprint for the future. They exist to cultivate the intellect. All else is secondary.”
Noel Annan, Baron Annan (1916–2000) first seen 1999 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 'Oxbridge dons: a crash course', The Times (24 November 1999), p. 38
“The very identity of an institution is bound up irrevocably with the story of its origin, its development, and its traditions, all of which must be familiar to the workers of today, if the movements of yesterday are to be perpetuated and continuity of life and effort maintained. The past must impart its wisdom to the present that the future may justify both and fulfil their aspirations.”
John Joseph Glennon (1862–1946) said by 1946 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We have a good coach, who has helped us very much with our training. The coach’s wisdom and the technical activities we do in Bekoji have helped it to produce so many good athletes.”
Tirunesh Dibaba (born 1985) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“‘Plenty of truths are there. To use these truths with discrimination is the wisdom of the historians.’”
Gopalaswami Parthasarathy (born 1940) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: quoted by S. L. Bhyrappa in foreword to Vikram Sampath - Tipu - The Saga of Mysore's Interregnum (2024)
“We simply cannot develop a continent if half of its population is left out. African governments need to tap into the talent and wisdom of women”
Rainatou Sow (born 1983) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“She was respected as a person who continually shared her knowledge and wisdom of the Chamorro language, culture and traditions about the people of Guam.”
Rosa Aguigui Reyes (1915–2007) said by 2007 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The joy and wisdom of getting older is the knowledge that it’s not about you. Yes, you have to work hard and be the best you can, but what’s more important is the story, what value you bring to it.”
Judy Ditchfield (born 1963) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Judy Ditchfield summons magic on stage,August 15, 2024,Neo Phashe
“The wealth of wisdom and knowledge you exude and lovingly give to those who care to listen. Thank you for not being selfish and for giving time for little old me you are highly appreciated, now book, or kanjani Connie Ferguson”
Zenande Mfenyana (born 1985) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I’ve gained a lot of wisdom. I acknowledge all of my past mistakes and understand tomorrow is always an opportunity to do better”
Tina Jaxa (born 1970) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: I’ve been given a second chance’ – Tina Jaxa,3 Sep 2015,By Nandipha Pantsi
“Then for the sake of Freedom’s name, (Since British wisdom scorns repealing) Come sacrifice to Patriot fame, And give up tea by way of healing.”
Hannah Griffitts (1727–1817) first seen 1775 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 'Beware of the Ides of March', Said the Roman Augur To Julius Caesar" (wr. February 28, 1775), st. 3 (ed. Patti Cowell, 1981)
“'In all things that come upon me I never desire to run around in quest of human wisdom, but I always act with the small power I have on whatever it is, and at the same time leave the whole thing to God.'”
Dorotheus of Gaza (510–565) said by 565 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The existence of a group of people called Indo-Europeans or Vedic Aryans has achieved the status of received wisdom—it has been repeated so often that it is now accepted fact, despite there being no satisfactory archaeological evidence whatsoever to support the presence of an incoming group of such numbers as historical and archaeological explanations require.”
Robin Coningham (born 1965) first seen 6500 BC wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Coningham and Young, The Archaeology of South Asia, p. 85. Coningham, R. and R. Young. The Archaeology of South Asia: From the Indus to Asoka, c. 6500 BCE–200 CE, Cambridge, 2015.
Also quoted by: Ruth Young (archaeologist)
“[Regarding the upcoming elections for President of the Italian Republic in 2013] Franco Marini turned 80 last week and is preparing for his final attempt to crown a career marked by prudence, impartiality, good neighbourliness, and a popular wisdom of which he is considered a masterful prophet.”
Giorgio Meletti (born 1958) first seen 2013 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: [Riguardo le imminenti elezioni del Presidente della Repubblica Italiana nel 2013] Franco Marini ha compiuto la settimana scorsa 80 anni e si prepara all'ultimo tentativo di coronare una carriera tutta nel nome della pr…
“Pessimism is only the name that men of weak nerves give to wisdom.”
Bernard DeVoto (1897–1955) first seen 1935 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mark Twain: The Ink of History", Address at the University of Missouri (December, 1935). Reported in Bartlett's, 15th ed. (Little, Brown and Co., 1980), p. 837
“Between the amateur and the professional, ... there is a difference not only in degree but in kind. The skillful man is, within the function of his skill, a different integration, a different nervous and muscular and psychological organization. ... A tennis player or a watchmaker or an airplane pilot is an automatism but he is also criticism and wisdom.”
Bernard DeVoto (1897–1955) said by 1955 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The fallen regime has left deep wounds—social, economic, and political and other. Healing them requires a lot of wisdom, relentless effort, and tireless perseverance. Those who believe the time for struggle has passed and that comfort has arrived are deluded.”
Ahmed al-Sharaa (born 1982) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Our solar system, one of the wonders of the universe, and our life-sustaining blue planet, are thus shown to have a certain long lifespan of development. This raises the question: will humanity remain eternal? The answer to this depends directly on our way of life and wisdom. This is because there are three endless wonders in the universe: light, time, and intelligence.”
Namsrai Khavtgai (born 1943) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When people talk, as they do, frequently, about the necessity to "globalise" modern Irish literature, or to desist from navel gazing, they ignore the wisdom of these words. The best literature is local, and specific, and in that specificity - that historicity, if you like - the universal is expressed.”
Éilís Ní Dhuibhne (born 1954) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“But in the good there is every kind of wisdom.”
Georgiana Chatterton (1806–1876) said by 1876 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Rest, weary heart! From all thy silent griefs and secret pain, Thy profitless regrets and longings vain; Wisdom and love have ordered all the past, All shall be blessedness and light at last; Cast off the cares that have so long opprest,— Rest, sweetly rest!”
Jane Laurie Borthwick (1813–1897) first seen 1863 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Rest", st. 2. Thoughtful Hours (1863) p. 51
“There's a hidden secret. God today has a plan contrary to any human planning. It's a plan to destroy mankind in a way that they've never known, a way that he can save them, and we're privileged to break down the walls of human wisdom.”
David Koresh (1959–1993) first seen 1987 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Study on the Assyrian", 1987, quoted in Gallagher 2000, p. 85
“Repeating, repeating, again and again His ultimate wisdom through many different facets. This is the way God teaches. As we've been learning the prophets over and over again, every different prophet is saying the same thing.”
David Koresh (1959–1993) first seen 1989 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Vernon's Dream", 1989, quoted in Gallagher 2000, p. 86
“President Tinubu, in his wisdom, said he had received complaints about a shortage of accommodation for judges, and directed that we intervene and provide accommodation. This accommodation is not personal. It is a public building,”
Nyesom Wike (born 1967) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It takes wisdom to handle women.”
Baba Fryo first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Why most musicians don’t enjoy marriage – Baba Fryo 15 July 2025, THE NATION (Nigeria).
“We had been dressing the wee lassie one day is a graceful fairy-like of Aunt Ellen's devising, and maternal pride gave utterance to some (foolish) remarks about the child's appearance. Very sweetly came the rebuke from childhood's wisdom. "Yes, but it was very good of God to make me pretty.”
Jessie Saxby (1842–1940) said by 1940 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Intellectuals have abandoned heavenly wisdom and grasped at earthly vanity, falsehood, mirage, and impenetrable darkness.”
John of Kronstadt (1829–1909) said by 1909 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The world is a mirror of God’s goodness, reason, wisdom, and power.”
John of Kronstadt (1829–1909) said by 1909 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We can all join that most worthwhile of all wars—the fight for tolerance, the fight for wisdom, the fight for freedom. Above all else, continue to develop your tastes—material and spiritual—so that you may learn to choose the best values from life's many alternatives.”
Carl Borgmann (1905–1998) first seen 1958 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: UVM President Bids Farewell in Graduation Talk". The Springfield Union. Associated Press. June 16, 1958. p. 10.
“Engage with other women, both younger and older, and stand firm against any negativity. I wish someone had shared this wisdom with me.”
Jane Tranter (born 1963) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Jane Tranter's advice to young women entering the industry. October 15, 2023
“For decades, the conventional wisdom has been that the fastest route to development lies in the adoption of foreign technologies, not independent innovation. Development institutions and policymakers have treated basic science as a luxury that only advanced economies could afford.”
Bridget Boakye (born 1990) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I didn’t feel good, but like I said I’m a Christian and I read the Bible. Solomon, with 700 wives and 300 concubines, was branded a man of wisdom . it’s his choice and for whatever reason he decided to take a second wife, that’s all I can say”
Pete Edochie (born 1947) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Digital technology is, and must remain, a tool, not an end in itself. With regard to the anthropological changes it constantly proposes, we need to speak words of wisdom and assert common sense. Technocrats are citizens like everyone else, not emperors of the new world.”
Paolo Crepet (born 1951) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The rate at which your knowledge will ripen into wisdom depends in considerable part upon your distinguishing what is important and what is relatively unimportant. Some people seem never to know any difference between the s and the s.”
Benjamin Ide Wheeler (1854–1927) said by 1927 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We must realize that human work is continuous transformation and therefore constantly involves approaching limits and crossing boundaries. Otherwise, we simply have experts and not researchers. Only researchers are up to the task of humanization and therefore of truly human wisdom, not simply disciplinary knowledge captured by very particular, private interests.”
Carlo Sini (born 1933) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“People usually compare the computer to the head of the human being. I would say that hardware is the bone of the head, the skull. The semiconductor is the brain within the head. The software is the wisdom. And data is the knowledge.”
Masayoshi Son (born 1957) first seen 1992 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Japanese-Style Entrepreneurship: An Interview with Softbank’S CEO, Masayoshi Son" in Harvard Business Review (1992)
“You just glanced at your phone, didn’t you? That’s exactly how algorithms draw us in. We’re living suspended between two worlds: one where AI quietly decides who gets hired, what news we see, and which voices we hear—and another where millennia of human wisdom sit waiting to guide us.”
Alok R. Chaturvedi wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“After forty years building AI systems and twenty years studying dharma in Indian ashrams, author Alok R. Chaturvedi learned something crucial: our digital future desperately needs our philosophical past. This isn’t another robot apocalypse book—it is an invitation to see technology through ancient wisdom made urgently relevant as artificial general intelligence approaches.”
Alok R. Chaturvedi wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I did not enjoy my time at Jefferson due to the racism that I experienced. Medical school taught me that we must have both wisdom and compassion if we are to improve healthcare. Both must be present as we assist our patients in healing.”
Cora LeEthel Christian wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We’re fast and furious with these technologies that are at a scale and power that’s beyond our current moral capacities, I think right now we have a really great mismatch between the power of our tools and our wisdom to use them well.”
Batya Friedman (born 1957) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Mama raised me right. Among other things, she taught me that you don’t accept a dinner invitation and then complain to your hosts about what is being served. Mama’s gentle wisdom notwithstanding, I would like to conclude my remarks today by making two uncomfortable observations.”
Ian Kerr (academic) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The novelist's mission is to make the invisible visible through words. And words are the wisdom of the novelist, the writer, and the poet. "There is no peace if we do not rest on the shields, heads, and bodies of the decapitated enemy.”
Miguel Ángel Asturias (1899–1974) said by 1974 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“You are made in the likeness of your ancestors. ... As we move through life, it is important to remember the wisdom of those before us. Life changes day to day.”
“The GERD is a great achievement that proves the strength of our spirit yesterday, examines our wisdom and ingenuity today, and shows the beacon of light we will have tomorrow”
Taye Atske Selassie (born 1956) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: President Taye: GERD Demonstrates Ethiopia’s Strength Yesterday, Ingenuity Today, And Vision For Tomorrow 14 September,2025
“The sky with all its creation is like a telescope that allows us to glimpse God: it does not magnify Him, it cannot magnify Him to our eyes, because He is infinite, but it can give us a glimpse of His greatness, it can allow us to contemplate a ray of His power, a glimmer of His wisdom, a warm reflection of the infinite flame of His love. (p. 1615)”
Dolindo Ruotolo (1882–1970) said by 1970 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source