The collection / 8,139 fragments

Wisdom.

Explore passages mentioning wisdom, wise. Topic suggestions use transparent word matching, not scholarly classification. Reviewed editorial meanings may also connect entries to this topic; those assignments are labelled separately from word matching.

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01c. 1619 AD

Wit and wisdom are born with a man.

John Selden / quote

02c. 1619 AD

Wise men say nothing in dangerous times.

John Selden / quote

03c. 1633 AD

For words are wise men's counters,—they do but reckon by them; but they are the money of fools.

Thomas Hobbes / quote

04c. 1618 AD

Be wisely worldly, be not worldly wise.

Francis Quarles / quote

05c. 1638 AD

It [angling] deserves commendations; . . . it is an art worthy the knowledge and practice of a wise man.

Izaak Walton / quote

06c. 1638 AD

I remember that a wise friend of mine did usually say, "That which is everybody's business is nobody's business."

Izaak Walton / quote

07c. 1640 AD

But Hudibras gave him a twitch As quick as lightning in the breech, Just in the place where honour 's lodg'd, As wise philosophers have judg'd; Because a kick in that part more Hurts honour than deep wounds before.

Samuel Butler / quote

08c. 1636 AD

The assembled souls of all that men held wise.

Sir William Davenant / quote

09c. 1646 AD

In such green palaces the first kings reign'd, Slept in their shades, and angels entertain'd; With such old counsellors they did advise, And by frequenting sacred groves grew wise.

Edmund Waller / quote

10c. 1641 AD

Vain wisdom all and false philosophy.

John Milton / quote

11c. 1641 AD

Thus with the year Seasons return; but not to me returns Day, or the sweet approach of even or morn, Or sight of vernal bloom or summer's rose, Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine; But cloud instead, and ever-during dark Surrounds me; from the cheerful ways of men Cut off, and for the book of knowledge fair Presented with a universal blank Of Nature's works, to me expung'd and raz'd, And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out.

John Milton / quote

12c. 1641 AD

And oft, though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps At wisdom's gate, and to simplicity Resigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill Where no ill seems.

John Milton / quote

13c. 1641 AD

Be lowly wise: Think only what concerns thee and thy being.

John Milton / quote

14c. 1641 AD

To know That which before us lies in daily life Is the prime wisdom.

John Milton / quote

15c. 1641 AD

Virtue could see to do what virtue would By her own radiant light, though sun and moon Were in the flat sea sunk. And Wisdom's self Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude, Where with her best nurse Contemplation She plumes her feathers and lets grow her wings, That in the various bustle of resort Were all-to ruffled, and sometimes impair'd. He that has light within his own clear breast May sit i' th' centre and enjoy bright day; But he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts Benighted walks under the midday sun.

John Milton / quote

16c. 1641 AD

License they mean when they cry, Liberty! For who loves that must first be wise and good.

John Milton / quote

17c. 1641 AD

For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains, And disapproves that care, though wise in show, That with superfluous burden loads the day, And when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains.

John Milton / quote

18c. 1666 AD

Better to hunt in fields for health unbought Than fee the doctor for a nauseous draught. The wise for cure on exercise depend; God never made his work for man to mend.

John Dryden / quote

19c. 1663 AD

Here lies our sovereign lord the king, Whose word no man relies on; He never says a foolish thing, Nor ever does a wise one.

Earl Of Rochester / quote

20c. 1684 AD

Of all those arts in which the wise excel, Nature's chief masterpiece is writing well.

Sheffield, Duke Of Buckinghamshire / quote

21c. 1684 AD

I knew a very wise man that believed that if a man were permitted to make all the ballads, he need not care who should make the laws of a nation.

Andrew Fletcher Of Saltoun / quote

22c. 1692 AD

From ignorance our comfort flows. The only wretched are the wise.

Matthew Prior / quote

23c. 1699 AD

Defer not till to-morrow to be wise, To-morrow's sun to thee may never rise.

William Congreve / quote

24c. 1711 AD

The tall, the wise, the reverend head Must lie as low as ours.

Isaac Watts / quote