Wisdom Quotes

The best minds across centuries have wrestled with what it means to be wise. These quotes capture their hard-won insights.

64329 quotes

A
"Every person contains multitudes; we must resist the temptation to reduce others to single dimensions or stereotypes."
Ahmed Kathrada
J
"We are responsible for the world we leave to our children."
Joe Slovo
H
"A wise leader listens more than he speaks, and observes more than he judges."
Harry Oppenheimer
H
"The art of business is knowing when to hold and when to relinquish control."
Harry Oppenheimer
D
"Suffering can be a teacher if we allow it to humble us rather than embitter us."
Desmond Tutu
D
"Bitterness consumes the bitter person. It's like taking poison and expecting it to kill your enemies."
Desmond Tutu
D
"Seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God."
Desmond Tutu
D
"The real battle is not between religions, but between those who choose love and those who choose fear."
Desmond Tutu
F
"Wisdom comes from listening more than speaking."
F.W. de Klerk
F
"Wisdom whispers while foolishness shouts."
F.W. de Klerk
W
"Wisdom comes not from age alone, but from reflection and experience."
Walter Sisulu
W
"We grow through adversity - our challenges are our greatest teachers."
Walter Sisulu
O
"Wisdom comes from listening to those different from ourselves."
Oliver Tambo
O
"Wisdom whispers what ideology shouts."
Oliver Tambo
G
"Knowledge without compassion is merely the accumulation of empty words."
Govan Mbeki
G
"In the end, it is not what we own that defines us, but what we give away."
Govan Mbeki
G
"To know oneself is the beginning of all true knowledge."
Govan Mbeki
A
"Wisdom comes from listening more than speaking, observing more than judging."
Ahmed Kathrada
A
"Wisdom recognizes that perfection is the enemy of progress."
Ahmed Kathrada
"Healing requires honesty and vulnerability."
Leymah Gbowee
"We must listen to understand, not to respond."
Leymah Gbowee
"We are defined not by our circumstances, but by our choices."
Leymah Gbowee
S
"Every human being possesses inherent dignity."
Shirin Ebadi
S
"The wisdom of ages teaches us to seek peace."
Shirin Ebadi
S
"The wisdom of compassion should guide all our decisions."
Shirin Ebadi
F
"Wisdom comes not from age, but from understanding."
F.W. de Klerk
F
"Wisdom is the art of knowing what to ignore."
F.W. de Klerk
O
"The measure of a nation is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens."
Oliver Tambo
O
"Wisdom comes from listening to those whose voices have been silenced."
Oliver Tambo
"Grief teaches us the depth of our capacity to love."
Leymah Gbowee