Quotes about Wisdom

As long as you live, you will be subject to change, whether you will it or not - now glad, now sorrowful; now pleased, now displeased; now devout, now undevout; now vigorous, now slothful; now gloomy, now merry. But a wise man who is well taught in spiritual labor stands unshaken in all such things, and heeds little what he feels, or from what side the wind of instability blows.

Grant me prudently to avoid him that flatters me, and to endure patiently him that contradicts me.

If you desire to know or learn anything to your advantage, then take delight in being unknown and unregarded. A true understanding and humble estimate of oneself is the highest and most valuable of all lessons. To take no account of oneself, but always to think well and highly of others is the highest wisdom and perfection.

If you wish to draw profit, read with humility, simplicity, and faith, and never with the design of gaining a reputation for learning.

A lowly knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than the deep searching of a man's learnings. Not that learning is to be blamed, nor the taking account of anything that is good; but a good conscience and a holy life is better than all. And because many seek knowledge rather than good living, therefore they go astray, and bear little or no fruit.

At the least, bear patiently, if thou canst not joyfully. And although thou be very unwilling to hear it, and feel indignation, yet check thyself, and suffer no unadvised word to come forth from thy lips, whereby the little ones may be offended. Soon the storm which hath been raised shall be stilled, and inward grief shall be sweetened by returning grace.

This is great wisdom, not to be hasty in action, or stubborn in our own opinions.

To account nothing of one's self, and to think always kindly and highly of others, this is great and perfect wisdom.

Many things there are to know which profiteth little or nothing to the soul.

There is naturally in every man a desire to know, but what profiteth knowledge without the fear of God?

The more humble a man is in himself, and the more obedient towards God, the wiser will he be in all things, and the more shall his soul be at peace.

Teach me, O Lord, to do Your will; teach me to live worthily and humbly in Your sight; for You are my wisdom, who know me truly, and who knew me before the world was made, and before I had my being.