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

T
"The true test of a man is his ability to admit he was wrong."
Tom Hagen
T
"When you realize you are nothing, you realize you can be anything."
The Narrator
T
"Your job is not who you are."
The Narrator
T
"Maybe self-improvement isn't the answer."
The Narrator
T
"The paradox is the only truth."
The Narrator
T
"It is only in the dark moments that we understand the value of the light."
The Narrator
V
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgment."
Vito Corleone
V
"Respect must be earned, not demanded."
Vito Corleone
V
"A man of few words commands more respect than one of many."
Vito Corleone
V
"Wisdom is knowing when to act and when to wait."
Vito Corleone
E
"I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
Ellen Ripley
E
"Stay sharp. Stay ready. That's how you stay alive."
Ellen Ripley
E
"I trust my instincts. They've kept me alive this long."
Ellen Ripley
E
"Wisdom is knowing your limits and pushing past them anyway."
Ellen Ripley
S
"Never tell anybody outside the family what you're thinking."
Sonny Corleone
S
"Be smart—know what you're fighting for."
Sonny Corleone
S
"You gotta know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em."
Sonny Corleone
S
"Trust nobody completely—everybody has an angle."
Sonny Corleone
M
"It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business."
Michael Corleone
M
"A consigliere should always tell the truth, but rarely."
Michael Corleone
M
"Never tell anybody outside the family what you're thinking again."
Michael Corleone
M
"In business, as in life, you must know when to hold and when to fold."
Michael Corleone
M
"Money is power, but respect is everything."
Michael Corleone
M
"Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment."
Michael Corleone
M
"A true gentleman always knows when to speak and when to listen."
Michael Corleone
T
"You're a young girl. You got your whole life ahead of you. You don't want to throw it away."
Travis Bickle
T
"I'm learning that people are not what they seem."
Travis Bickle
T
"Knowledge is power, but wisdom is knowing when to use it."
Tom Hagen
T
"Every decision has a consequence."
Tom Hagen
T
"You want to know the secret? There is no secret."
Tony Montana