Quotes about Wisdom

All essential knowledge relates to existence, or only such knowledge as has an essential relationship to existence is essential knowledge.

Philosophy always requires something more, requires the eternal, the true, in contrast to which even the fullest existence as such is but a happy moment.

People don't realize how a man's whole life can be changed by one book.

I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity.

Remember that very little is needed to make a happy life.

Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it.

How ridiculous and how strange to be surprised at anything which happens in life

Anger cannot be dishonest.

Everything is only for a day, both that which remembers and that which is remembered. Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom thyself to consider that the nature of the universe loves nothing so much as to change things which are and to make new things like them. For everything that exists is in a manner the seed of that which will be.

For outward show is a wonderful perverter of the reason.

Everything fades so quickly, turns into legend, and soon oblivion covers it. And those are the ones who shone. The rest—"unknown, unasked-for" a minute after death. What is "eternal" fame? Emptiness. Then what should we work for? Only this: proper understanding; unselfish action; truthful speech. A resolve to accept whatever happens as necessary and familiar, flowing like water from that same source and spring.

When you deal with irrational animals, with things and circumstances, be generous and straightforward. You are rational; they are not.