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

"The universe does not ask for our understanding; we must earn it."
Antony Hewish
"The universe is both vast beyond comprehension and intimately knowable."
Antony Hewish
"Astronomy teaches us that perspective shapes understanding of reality."
Antony Hewish
J
"I would say that of all the millions of grades of iron compounds, the most precious is human consciousness."
John Wheeler
J
"The greatest discoveries come from asking the simplest questions."
John Wheeler
J
"Questions are more important than answers in the long run."
John Wheeler
J
"To truly understand something, you must understand it at the deepest level."
John Wheeler
G
"The universe speaks to those patient enough to listen through mathematics and observation."
George Zweig
G
"The mind that questions deeply will find the greatest rewards."
George Zweig
G
"Knowledge is power, but wisdom is knowing how to use it."
George Zweig
G
"The deepest understanding comes when theory meets unexpected reality."
George Zweig
G
"To understand one fundamental particle is to glimpse the mind of creation."
George Zweig
G
"In the face of cosmic mystery, we find both humility and determination."
George Zweig
G
"The universe is a puzzle, and we hold only a few of the pieces."
George Zweig
G
"The universe keeps its deepest secrets from the careless and the closed-minded."
George Zweig
G
"The mind that questions becomes the mind that understands."
George Zweig
G
"To understand a fundamental particle is to touch the face of creation."
George Zweig
R
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."
Robert Wilson
R
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
Robert Wilson
R
"What we think, we become."
Robert Wilson
R
"The quality of your life is determined by the quality of the questions you ask."
Robert Wilson
M
"The universe speaks to those who listen with both mind and heart."
Maarten Schmidt
M
"The universe cares nothing for our plans, only our persistence."
Maarten Schmidt
F
"Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts."
Freeman Dyson
F
"I find it remarkable that many people are willing to believe in events that are inherently improbable."
Freeman Dyson
F
"We must learn to live with uncertainty and accept that many things cannot be known."
Freeman Dyson
F
"I have come to appreciate the wisdom of not knowing everything."
Freeman Dyson
F
"I have learned more from my mistakes than from my successes."
Freeman Dyson
M
"I think it is a matter of some importance to keep in mind that we are not very good at predicting the future."
Murray Gell-Mann
M
"People often mistake the map for the territory - the description for the thing itself."
Murray Gell-Mann