Wisdom Quotes

"The zeal for public service must be tempered by an understanding of human nature."

"Knowledge is power, but wisdom is knowing when and how to use it."

"I have, I believe, fully made up my mind that it is better that a few of the worst of the slaves should be made free than that all the slaves should remain in bondage."

"I have lived to see the day when human bondage is recognized as the greatest evil."

"I have learned that evil thrives when good people remain silent."

"No man can prosper while his brother is enslaved."

"I have seen too much sadness to rejoice in anyone's pain."

"You must understand that the power which slavery exerts is stronger than all moral teaching."

"If you want to keep secrets from the enemy, do not tell women."

"I have no time for hatred and bitterness."

"I am wise in my generation."

"Education opens the eyes of the mind and expands the capacity of the soul."

"The art of life is the art of avoiding pain."

"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion."

"The highest order of mind is accused of folly, as well as the lowest."

"Great innovations should not be forced on slender majorities."

"Prudence, in the strictest sense of the word, is not to be despised."

"Every question of construction will be a question of convenience."

"I wanted to rest, to lay down my weary limbs, but I could not, for my soul was troubled."

"I have ploughed, I have reaped without getting the flowers."

"I have learned that it takes courage to speak the truth, but it is always worth it."

"I have learned that the greatest wisdom comes from lived experience and suffering."

"There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know oneself."

"If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins."

"Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure when he is really selling himself a slave to it."

"Necessity never made a good bargain."

"The poor have little, beggars none, the rich too much."

"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."

"Look before, or you'll find yourself behind."

"To be a great man, you must learn to understand and manage human nature."