Topics · Life & Self
Wisdom about life lessons.
What people have learned about life lessons the hard way, and what the classics said about it first.
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From the library
Let each man direct himself first to what is proper; then let him teach others.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
The cautious seldom err.
The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
When the Great Tao (Way or Method) ceased to be observed, benevolence and righteousness came into vogue. (Then) appeared wisdom and shrewdness, and there ensued great hypocrisy.
The fault of others is easily perceived, but that of oneself is difficult to perceive.
I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
The difficulty in governing the people arises from their having much knowledge. He who (tries to) govern a state by his wisdom is a scourge to it; while he who does not (try to) do so is a blessing.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
The great state only wishes to unite men together and nourish them; a small state only wishes to be received by, and to serve, the other. Each gets what it desires, but the great state must learn to abase itself.
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere. Those who are skilled (in the Tao) do not dispute (about it); the disputatious are not skilled in it. Those who know (the Tao) are not extensively learned; the extensively learned do not know it.
Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.
To him by whom this harmony is known, (The secret of) the unchanging (Tao) is shown, And in the knowledge wisdom finds its throne. All life-increasing arts to evil turn; Where the mind makes the vital breath to burn, (False) is the strength, (and o'er it we should mourn.)
Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
Therefore the sage desires what (other men) do not desire, and does not prize things difficult to get; he learns what (other men) do not learn, and turns back to what the multitude of men have passed by. Thus he helps the natural development of all things, and does not dare to act (with an ulterior purpose of his own).
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
If we could renounce our sageness and discard our wisdom, it would be better for the people a hundredfold. If we could renounce our benevolence and discard our righteousness, the people would again become filial and kindly. If we could renounce our artful contrivances and discard our (scheming for) gain, there would be no thieves nor robbers.
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
Therefore when the sovereign occupies his place as the Son of Heaven, and he has appointed his three ducal ministers, though (a prince) were to send in a round symbol-of-rank large enough to fill both the hands, and that as the precursor of the team of horses (in the court-yard), such an offering would not be equal to (a lesson of) this Tao, which one might present on his knees.
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
Therefore a wise prince, marching the whole day, does not go far from his baggage waggons. Although he may have brilliant prospects to look at, he quietly remains (in his proper place), indifferent to them. How should the lord of a myriad chariots carry himself lightly before the kingdom? If he do act lightly, he has lost his root (of gravity); if he proceed to active movement, he will lose his…
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.