Wise kings have generally wise councillors, as he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one. Diogenes.
Wise men are instructed by reason; men of less understanding, by experience; the most ignorant, by necessity; and beasts, by nature. Cic.
Wise men are not wise at all hours, and will 35 speak five times from their taste or their humour to one from their reason. Emerson.
Wise men are wise but not prudent, in that they know nothing of what is for their own advantage, but know surpassing things, marvellous things, difficult things, and divine things. Ruskin.
Wise men argue causes, and fools decide them. Anacharsis.
Wise men, for the most part, are silent at present, and good men powerless; the senseless vociferate, and the heartless govern; while all social law and providence are dissolved by the enraged agitation of a multitude, among whom every villain has a chance of power, every simpleton of praise, and every scoundrel of fortune. Ruskin.
Wise men mingle mirth with their cares, as a help either to forget or overcome them; but to resort to intoxication for the ease of one's mind is to cure melancholy by madness. Charron.
Wise men ne'er sit and wail their loss, / But 40 cheerly seek how to redress their harms. 3 Hen. VI., v. 4.
Wise men say nothing in dangerous times. Selden.
Wise sayings are as saltpits; you may extract salt out of them, and sprinkle it where you will. Cic.