75 Inspirational Wise Quotes (WORDS OF WISDOM)

In the bustling noise of our modern world, filled with endless notifications and rapid-fire updates, there is something profoundly calming about the simplicity and depth of wisdom quotes. These timeless words, drawn from various cultures, eras, and thinkers, have the power to inspire reflection, provoke thought, and guide us toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

These quotes are more than just eloquent phrases; they are the distilled essence of humanity’s collective wisdom, passed down through generations. They capture insights into love, life, happiness, success, and the myriad complexities of the human experience.

Whether you’re a seeker of knowledge, a lover of philosophy, or simply someone in search of inspiration, these quotes will challenge your perspectives, ignite your curiosity, and inspire you to live a more thoughtful and meaningful life.

Top 15 Ancient Wisdom Quotes to Inspire You

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. - Aristotle — It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. – **Aristotle**

The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life. - Confucius — The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life. – **Confucius**

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. - Lao Tzu — Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. – **Lao Tzu**

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult. - Seneca — It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult. – **Seneca**

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. - Socrates — The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. – **Socrates**

The greatest wealth is to live content with little. - Plato — The greatest **wealth** is to live content with little. – **Plato**

Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one. - Marcus Aurelius — Waste no more **time** arguing about what a good man should be. Be one. – **Marcus Aurelius**

In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you. - Buddha — In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you. – **Buddha**

In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity. - Sun Tzu — In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity. – **Sun Tzu**

Happiness and freedom begin with one principle. Some things are within your control and some are not. - Epictetus — **Happiness** and **freedom** begin with one principle. Some things are within your control and some are not. – **Epictetus**

Know how to listen and you will profit even from those who talk badly. - Plutarch — Know how to listen and you will profit even from those who talk badly. – **Plutarch**

Do not say a little in many words but a great deal in few. - Pythagoras — Do not say a little in many words but a great deal in few. – **Pythagoras**

Happy is the man who has broken the chains which hurt the mind and has given up worrying once and for all. - Ovid — Happy is the man who has broken the chains which hurt the mind and has given up worrying once and for all. – **Ovid**

The wise man does at once what the fool does finally. - Baltasar Gracián — The wise man does at once what the fool does finally. – Baltasar Gracián

Knowledge is learning something every day. Wisdom is letting go of something every day. - Zen Proverb — **Knowledge** is **learning** something every day. Wisdom is letting go of something every day. – Zen Proverb

So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. - Jesus Christ — So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. – Jesus Christ

60 Motivational Wisdom Quotes About Love & Life

Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life. - Sandra Carey — Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life. – Sandra Carey

The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. - William Shakespeare — The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. – **William Shakespeare**

Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds.

While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us. - Benjamin Franklin — While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us. – **Benjamin Franklin**

The wise man learns more from his enemies than the fool does from his friends. - Benjamin Franklin — The wise man **learns** more from his enemies than the fool does from his **friends**. – **Benjamin Franklin**

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. - Ralph Waldo Emerson — **The purpose of life** is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be **compassionate**, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. – **Ralph Waldo Emerson**

The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common. - Ralph Waldo Emerson — The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common. – **Ralph Waldo Emerson**

Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’. - Viktor Frankl — Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how’. – **Viktor Frankl**

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. - Nelson Mandela — If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. – **Nelson Mandela**

When we ignore our inner wisdom, we will come to regret it. - John Soforic — When we ignore our inner wisdom, we will come to regret it. – John Soforic

Life may be hard, but it gets less hard when we use our strengths to full advantage. - John Soforic — Life may be hard, but it gets less hard when we use our strengths to full advantage. – John Soforic

Wise is the one who is choosy with associates, for a friendship with a fool can be a costly affair. - John Soforic — Wise is the one who is choosy with associates, for a **friendship** with a fool can be a costly affair. – John Soforic

Life isn’t about finding yourself; it’s about creating yourself. So live the life you imagined. - Henry David Thoreau — Life isn’t about finding yourself; it’s about creating yourself. So live the life you imagined. – **Henry David Thoreau**

The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. - Mark Twain — The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. – **Mark Twain**

You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. - Friedrich Nietzsche — You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. – **Friedrich Nietzsche**

In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. - Abraham Lincoln — In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. – **Abraham Lincoln**

Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it. - Albert Einstein — Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it. – **Albert Einstein**

A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes. – **Mahatma Gandhi**

Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. - Martin Luther King Jr. — Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. – **Martin Luther King Jr.**

The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall. - Vince Lombardi — The greatest **accomplishment** is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall. – **Vince Lombardi**

If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress. - Barack Obama — If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress. – **Barack Obama**

Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think. - Benjamin Disraeli — Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think. – **Benjamin Disraeli**

Live simply so others may simply live. - Mother Teresa — Live simply so others may simply live. – **Mother Teresa**

To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often. - Winston Churchill — To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often. – **Winston Churchill**

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. - Steve Jobs — Your **time** is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. – **Steve Jobs**

Time can be an ally or an enemy. What it becomes depends entirely upon you, your goals, and your determination to use every available minute. - Zig Ziglar — **Time** can be an ally or an enemy. What it becomes depends entirely upon you, your goals, and **your determination** to use every available minute. – **Zig Ziglar**

It soon became clear that doing one thing better and better might be more satisfying than staying an amateur at many different things. - Angela Duckworth — It soon became clear that doing one thing better and better might be more satisfying than staying an amateur at many different things. – **Angela Duckworth**

He who wants a rose must respect her thorn. - Andre Gide — He who wants a rose must **respect** her thorn. – **Andre Gide**

All change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end. - Robin Sharma — All **change** is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end. – **Robin Sharma**

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. - Helen Keller — The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. – **Helen Keller**

I know that if things were going to improve, I was the one responsible for making it happen. - James Clear — I know that if things were going to improve, I was the one **responsible** for making it happen. – **James Clear**

There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period. - Brene Brown — There is no **innovation** and creativity without failure. Period. – **Brene Brown**

Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. - Leo Buscaglia — Your **talent** is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. – **Leo Buscaglia**

The two most powerful warriors are patience and time. - Leo Tolstoy — The two most powerful warriors are **patience** and **time**. – **Leo Tolstoy**

If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way. - Napoleon Hill — If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way. – **Napoleon Hill**

How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. - Wayne Dyer — How people treat you is their **karma**; how you react is yours. – **Wayne Dyer**

It is incredibly empowering to know that your future is in your hands. - Keanu Reeves — It is incredibly **empowering** to know that your **future** is in your hands. – **Keanu Reeves**

I realized that intimidation didn’t really exist if you’re in the right frame of mind. - Kobe Bryant — I realized that intimidation didn’t really exist if you’re in the right frame of mind. – **Kobe Bryant**

In most aspects of life, try to find the thing you can go all in on with compound interest. - Naval Ravikant — In most aspects of life, try to find the thing you can go all in on with compound interest. – **Naval Ravikant**

Once you have made up your mind, stick to it; there no longer any ‘if’ or ‘but’. - Napoleon Bonaparte — Once you have made up your mind, stick to it; there no longer any ‘if’ or ‘but’. – **Napoleon Bonaparte**

Life goes by very fast. And the worst thing in life that you can have is a job that you hate, and have no energy and creativity in. - Robert Greene — Life goes by very fast. And the worst thing in life that you can have is a job that you hate, and have no energy and creativity in. – **Robert Greene**

I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’ - Muhammad Ali — I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’ – **Muhammad Ali**

The more we learn, the more we discover how much we do not know. - Yoda — The more we **learn**, the more we discover how much we do not know. – **Yoda**

Be still my heart; thou hast known worse than this. - Homer — Be still my heart; thou hast known worse than this. – **Homer**

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission. - Eleanor Roosevelt — Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission. – **Eleanor Roosevelt**

You've heard that it's wise to learn from experience, but it is wiser to learn from the experience of others. - Rick Warren — You’ve heard that it’s wise to **learn** from experience, but it is wiser to learn from the experience of others. – **Rick Warren**

Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out of it alive. - Elbert Hubbard — Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out of it alive. – **Elbert Hubbard**

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk. - Dalai Lama — Take into account that great **love** and great achievements involve great risk. – **Dalai Lama**

Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child. - Ron Wild — Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child. – Ron Wild

You can never plan the future by the past. - Edmund Burke — You can never plan the **future** by the past. – Edmund Burke

Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. - Aristotle — Educating the mind without educating the heart is no **education** at all. – **Aristotle**

Don't waste your time with explanations, people only hear what they want to hear. - Paulo Coelho — Don’t waste your **time** with explanations, people only hear what they want to hear. – **Paulo Coelho**

The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them. - Paulo Coelho — The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them. – **Paulo Coelho**

Singleness of purpose is one of the chief essentials for success in life, no matter what may be one’s aim. - John D. Rockefeller — Singleness of purpose is one of the chief essentials for success in life, no matter what may be one’s aim. – **John D. Rockefeller**

It is the province of knowledge to speak, and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen. - Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. — It is the province of knowledge to speak, and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen. – **Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.**

Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life. - Immanuel Kant — Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life. – **Immanuel Kant**

Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours. - C.S. Lewis — Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours. – **C.S. Lewis**

Learn how to take criticism seriously but not personally. - Hillary Clinton — **Learn** how to take criticism seriously but not personally. – Hillary Clinton

Turn your wounds into wisdom. - Oprah Winfrey — Turn your wounds into wisdom. – **Oprah Winfrey**

Conclusion

We think in words. We speak in words. Words directly influence the way our brain are wired. And what our brain thinks ultimately determines the quality and outcome of our lives.

Therefore, it is wise that we feed our brain some of the most inspiring words of wisdom so we can increase the quality of our lives and positively impact people in our day-to-day living.

It is said that wisdom is for more valuable than intelligence because being wise means knowing why you do what you do whereas intelligence serves you in how you do.

Knowing how is important but understanding why is incredibly more powerful. We all understand the power of why. If our whys are strong enough, we can bear almost any how.

Further reading:

Why Wisdom Is Far More Valuable Than Intelligence – Beautiful Christian Life
Defining Spiritual Wisdom For Yourself – Everyday Health
Why Wisdom Can’t Be Taught – Knowledge (Insead.edu)
Why Wisdom Is The Principal Thing In Life – Better Help

Here are the best wisdom quotes so you can learn to adapt to change and embrace uncertainties and wonders to increase the quality of your life.

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**The Wisdom Codes: Ancient Words to Rewire Our Brains and Heal Our Hearts**

Also read:

Top 15 Ancient Wisdom Quotes to Inspire You

60 Motivational Wisdom Quotes About Love & Life

Conclusion

90 Aristotle Quotes on Happiness & Life (EDUCATION)

122 Inspirational Character Quotes (PERSONALITY)