Spiritual Quotes

Wisdom

The gaining of wisdom is all we are here for—here in God’s mind. We learn, and God proves, as much by our wrong deeds as by our right ones. By lying and suffering for it we learn first to wish for truth, then to work to gain it; then finally we love it and live it. —Elizabeth Towne, Joy Philosophy

It is necessary to be silent before you can speak wisely. The person that is really alert and well poised and able to speak wisely under trying circumstances is the person that has practiced in the silence. —Theron Q. Dumont, The Power of Concentration

If we will be quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment. —Henry David Thoreau

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. —Psalms 49:3 (KJV)

O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. —Psalms 104:24 (KJV)

O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.—Psalms 119:97–105 (KJV)

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.—Proverbs 4:7 (KJV)

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
—Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (KJV)

Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.—Ecclesiastes 8:1 (KJV)

Spiritual achievements are the consummation of holy aspirations. He who lives constantly in the conception of noble and lofty thoughts, who dwells upon all that is pure and unselfish, will, as surely as the sun reaches its zenith and the moon its full, become wise and noble in character, and rise into a position of influence and blessedness. —James Allen, As a Man Thinketh

To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts nor even to found a school, but so to love wisdom as to live according to its dictates, a life of simplicity, independence, magnanimity, and trust. It is to solve some of the problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically. —Henry David Thoreau, Walden; Or, Life in the Woods