Wisdom from Legends: Famous Quotes from History’s Greatest Minds Throughout history, there have been many wise and inspiring people who have left us with profound wisdom. From ancient civilizations to modern-day leaders, these wise individuals have shared age-old wisdom that remains relevant today. This article will explore famous quotes from history’s greatest minds that have stood the test of time.

Greek Philosophers
The ancient Greeks are credited with laying the foundation for philosophical thinking and contemplation. Here are some of the most famous quotes of wisdom from the Ancient Greek Philosophers:

• “In life we never regret the things we do but only the things we do not do” – Socrates

• “Know thyself” – Socrates

• “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates

• “The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates

• “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates

• “A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.” – Plato

• “The only remedy for love is to love more.” – Henry David Thoreau

• “The more you know, the more you realize you know nothing.” – Socrates

• “If you want to be a leader who people follow with enthusiasm and great results, you must become the one who can clap loudest for others.” – Aristotle

• “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” – Plato

• “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” – Aristotle

• “The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.” – Nietzsche

• “One must learn by doing the thing; for though you think you know it, you have no certainty until you try.” – Sophocles

• “The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything.” – Thompson

• “Isn’t it the moment of most profound doubt that gives birth to new certainties?” – Foucault

Chinese Philosophers
The great minds of Chinese philosophy and thought displayed a unique form of wisdom that is still just as meaningful today. Here are some of the most famous quotes of wisdom from Chinese philosophers:

• “An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break.” -Chinese Proverb

• “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” -Confucius

• “It is better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.” -Chinese Proverb

• “The longest journey begins with a single step.” -Lao Tzu

• “The moment you change your perception is the moment you rewrite the chemistry of your body.” -Bruce Lipton

• “He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.” -Confucius

• “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” -Chinese Proverb

• “The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.” -Lao Tzu

• “When anger rises, think of the consequences.” -Confucius

• “A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure.” -Chinese Proverb

• “A wise man adapts himself to circumstances, as water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it.” -Chinese Proverb

• “Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything.” -Alexander Hamilton

• “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” -Chinese Proverb

Spanish Philosophers
The Spanish have a long and varied history of leaving their mark on Western culture, including adding important contributions to philosophical thought. Here are some of the most famous quotes of wisdom from the Spanish Philosophers:

• “It is better to confront the negative with the positive.” – Carlos Ruiz Zafón

• “A great life is born of great deeds.” – Miguel de Cervantes

• “Life is too short to be small.” – Benjamin Disraeli

• “There is no remedy for love but to love more.” – Henry David Thoreau

• “The only courage that matters is the kind that gets you from one moment to the next.” – Mignon McLaughlin

• “Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” – Soren Kierkegaard

• “We become what we think about.” – Earl Nightingale

• “The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” – William James

• “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates

• “Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

• “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” – Ronald Reagan

• “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” – Frederick Douglass

• “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Throughout history, wise people have left us not just with powerful words, but with timeless wisdom. By reflecting on these famous quotes from history’s greatest minds, we can help to shape our lives in profound ways. Hopefully, this article has been an inspiring reminder of this truth and helps open us up to greater understanding of the core values of life.