A room without books is like a body without a soul.
It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment.
Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.
I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled poets to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean.
He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.
Knowledge which is divorced from justice may be called cunning rather than wisdom.
Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness.
Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.
Every man, however wise, needs the advice of some sagacious friend in the affairs of life.
It takes a wise man to recognize a wise man.
Do not test out your mind on the grounds that you are examining what seductive and impure thoughts look like, imagining that, as you do this, you will not be overcome by them. Even the wise have in this way been thrown into confusion and become infatuated.
The misfortune of the wise is better than the prosperity of the fool.
Of all the things which wisdom provides to make us entirely happy, much the greatest is the possession of friendship.
When misfortune comes, The wisest even lose their mother wit
A wise man does not chatter with one whose mind is sick.
First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end.
Applicants for wisdom do what I have done: inquire within.
The wise warrior avoids the battle.
History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquities.
It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
For there is but one essential justice which cements society, and one law which establishes this justice. This law is right reason, which is the true rule of all commandments and prohibitions. Whoever neglects this law, whether written or unwritten, is necessarily unjust and wicked.
Wisdom is not attained by years, but by ability.
If you seek Truth, you will not seek to gain a victory by every possible means; and when you have found Truth, you need not fear being defeated.
If you are ruled by mind you are a king; if by body, a slave.
A son who gathers in summer is wise, but a son who sleeps during gathering time brings shame.
No man is wise enough by himself.
If you want to improve, you must be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
Anger so clouds the mind that it cannot perceive the truth.
If you are filled with pride, then you will have no room for wisdom.
Tis sometimes the height of wisdom to feign stupidity.
All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.
An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes.
Don’t live by your own rules, but in harmony with nature.
To a wise and good man the whole earth is his fatherland.
Fame means being respected by everybody, or having some quality that is desired by all men, or by most, or by the good, or by the wise.
That man is best who sees the truth himself. Good too is he who listens to wise counsel. But who is neither wise himself nor willing to ponder wisdom is not worth a straw.
True law is right reason in agreement with nature; it is of universal application, unchanging and everlasting; it summons to duty by its commands, and averts from wrongdoing by its prohibitions.
In banquets remember that you entertain two guests, body and soul: and whatever you shall have given to the body you soon eject: but what you shall have given to the soul, you keep always.
The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil.
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
It is well to be up before daybreak, for such habits contribute to health, wealth, and wisdom.
Not engaging in ignorance is wisdom.
