The Quotes canon
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Every quote has been curated by hand and carefully authenticated.
Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Browse all 10,075 quotes or apply filters in different categories to narrow your search.
Appearance vs. reality1 quote
Do not be arrogant because of your knowledge, but confer with the ignorant man as with the learned... Good speech is more hidden than malachite, yet it is found in the possession of women slaves at the millstones. — Ptahhotep · 2375 BCBalance1 quote
One who is serious all day will never have a good time, while one who is frivolous all day will never establish a household. — Ptahhotep · 2375 BCCan't take it with you1 quote
Remember: it is not given to man to take his goods with him.
No one goes away and then comes back. — The Song of the Harper · 2600 BCCuriosity1 quote
Do not be arrogant because of your knowledge, but confer with the ignorant man as with the learned... Good speech is more hidden than malachite, yet it is found in the possession of women slaves at the millstones. — Ptahhotep · 2375 BCDeath1 quote
Remember: it is not given to man to take his goods with him.
No one goes away and then comes back. — The Song of the Harper · 2600 BCDetachment from wealth1 quote
Do not set your heart on wealth…
Do not strain to seek increase,
What you have, let it suffice you.
If riches come by theft,
They will not stay the night with you….
They made themselves wings like geese,
And flew away to the sky. — Amenemope · 1075 BCHow to live1 quote
Do justice, that you may live long upon earth. Calm the weeper, do not oppress the widow, do not oust a man from his father's property, do not degrade magnates from their seats. Beware of punishing wrongfully; do not kill, for it will not profit you. — The Teaching for Merikare · 2025 BCLearning from others1 quote
Do not be arrogant because of your knowledge, but confer with the ignorant man as with the learned... Good speech is more hidden than malachite, yet it is found in the possession of women slaves at the millstones. — Ptahhotep · 2375 BCLeisure1 quote
The wisdom of a learned man cometh by opportunity of leisure; and he that hath little business shall become wise. — Ben Sira · 175 BCMinimizing risk1 quote
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. — Ahiqar · 500 BCNature of God1 quote
Creator uncreated.
Sole one, unique one, who traverses eternity,
Remote one, with millions under his care;
Your splendor is like heaven's splendor. — First Hymn to the Sun God · 1334 BCPositive attitude1 quote
Be cheerful while you are alive. — Ptahhotep · 2375 BCRisk1 quote
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. — Ahiqar · 500 BCThe afterlife1 quote
Remember: it is not given to man to take his goods with him.
No one goes away and then comes back. — The Song of the Harper · 2600 BCWealth1 quote
Do not set your heart on wealth…
Do not strain to seek increase,
What you have, let it suffice you.
If riches come by theft,
They will not stay the night with you….
They made themselves wings like geese,
And flew away to the sky. — Amenemope · 1075 BCWisdom1 quote
The wisdom of a learned man cometh by opportunity of leisure; and he that hath little business shall become wise. — Ben Sira · 175 BC