I was not born with wisdom. I love the ancient teachings and have worked hard to attain to their level.

Those who love wisdom must investigate many things

I leaf through the ancient philosophers and find my newest discoveries there.

Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.

Yeah, I’m passionate about wisdom. I’m passionate about accuracy and some kinds of curiosity. Perhaps I have some streak of generosity in my nature and a desire to serve values that transcend my brief life. But maybe I’m just here to show off. Who knows? I believe in the discipline of mastering the best that other people have ever figured out. I don’t believe in just sitting down and trying to dream it all up yourself. Nobody’s that smart.

Et peut-être la posterité me saura gré de lui avoir fait connaître que les Anciens n’ont pas tout su. (<i>And perhaps, posterity will thank me for having shown that the ancients did not know everything</i>.)

Among the many subjects which interested me, I dwelt especially upon antiquity, for our own age has always repelled me, so that, had it not been for the love of those dear to me, I should have preferred to place myself in spirit in other ages, and consequently I delighted in history.

The wise want love; and those who love want wisdom

I am enormously wise and abysmally ignorant

I am quite a wise old bird, but I am no desert hermit who can only prophesy when his guts are knotted with hunger. I am deep in the old man’s puzzle, trying to link the wisdom of the body with the wisdom of the spirit until the two are one.

Let others praise ancient times; I am glad I was born in these

Behold! I am weary of my wisdom, like the bee that has gathered too much honey; I need hands outstretched to take it from me. I wish to spread it and bestow it, until the wise have once more become joyous in their folly, and the poor happy in their riches.

I am not omniscient, but I know a lot.

Do I possess wisdom? No, I do not. For example, recently a common fellow asked a question of me, and I came up completely empty. But I discussed the problem with him from beginning to end until we finally got to the bottom of it.