# What's the wisest thing anyone's ever said to you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 6, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810 "2010-09-06T16:00:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/81 "2010-09-08T12:11:25Z")
From dad: "Being smart is knowing when to use your brain and when to use muscles. Being very smart is knowing that there are situations when to use neither. " From my first boss when I was 22: “The only thing you can do better than the next guy is work harder!” ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/82 "2010-09-08T16:03:00Z")
One thing I mentioned on another thread a few weeks ago, that was said by a friend to me a long time ago: “Having hatred is like eating a little bit of poison every day, hoping the other guy will die.” ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/83 "2010-09-08T16:16:39Z")
“No sense crying about things you can’t change.” and “No sense trying to control anything but yourself.” ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/84 "2010-09-08T16:33:36Z")
I was taught to try not to offend and to try twice as hard not to be offended. I had not realized one could ‘try not to be offended’. I had always considered being offended some kind of automatic emotion. Once I realized that I could control that, it was like magic. I could literally see the power being sapped from those who would try to offend me. Rigamorale, I love your story. I know a dreadlocked street guru, and he is always dropping heavy jewels on me. I wonder where they get all that good wisdom?? ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/85 "2010-09-08T17:52:50Z")
From my Gram: “You don’t need a man to be happy. It’s better to be alone than wish you were.” From a co-worker: “You have a good heart and are a strong woman. You’ll weather this.” ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/86 "2010-09-08T18:21:50Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Rigamorale, I love your story. I know a dreadlocked street guru, and he is always dropping heavy jewels on me. I wonder where they get all that good wisdom?? I think it might have something to do with where he was getting the incense. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/87 "2010-09-08T19:13:58Z")
The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference. ---
**Author:** ![Shark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Shark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/88 "2010-09-08T19:24:06Z")
> [@Nightfall1](#): > > When I was in my early twenties a car almost hit me as I crossed the street and I whined “hell, I had the right of way” My friend said “graveyards are full of people that had the right of way.” > That REALLY made an impression on me. Similar to what I’m fond of saying sometimes. “Dead right is still dead.” One piece of advice that I like to keep in mind is that “The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/89 "2010-09-08T19:31:57Z")
> [@My mom](#): > > Somebody’s gotta be the grown-up. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/90 "2010-09-08T21:14:09Z")
These pearls all came from my mother. It’s better to be laughed with than laughed at. A man’s not the one who can drink the most, it’s the one who knows when to quit. I’m the best friend you’re ever going to have. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/91 "2010-09-08T21:19:39Z")
> [@Bibliovore](#): > > Just so you people know, I’m writing these all down. 😃 These are all fantastic. I’m saving it as a bookmark for future Facebook updates! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/92 "2010-09-08T21:24:12Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#): > > “Get out of the shoe business.” Haha I like that one… However it’s going to be difficult to support Peg, Bud & Kelly! ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/93 "2010-09-08T21:28:51Z")
Here’s another one I just remembered: “In the long run, it’s better to be happy than to be right.” ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/94 "2010-09-08T21:54:26Z")
Never attribute to malice that which can be explained by 1) stupidity or 2) indifference. Boys are like busses - a new one comes along every 20 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/95 "2010-09-08T22:37:22Z")
From my best friend, on my wedding day: “NEVER call her a bitch.” Hey, it’s worked for 19 years! ---
**Author:** ![oddity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@oddity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oddity)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/96 "2010-09-08T23:07:03Z")
I can’t think of any offhand, but you might enjoy this: [http://twitter.com/shitmydadsays](http://twitter.com/shitmydadsays) ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/97 "2010-09-09T20:21:43Z")
One night my Dad and I were watching the news. They were reporting a guy had been found dead on the **something-something** block of **something** avenue. Dad said “Did you ever notice that all these deaths seem to happen in certain parts of town, and at certain times of the day? Easiest way to cut down on your risk of death is _not be there at those times_.” ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/98 "2010-09-09T20:30:52Z")
Oh, forgot this one: If you pick at it, it won’t heal. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/99 "2010-09-09T20:35:16Z")
I also think the old chestnut “Be careful what you wish for, for you might just get it” is so true and so important. I’m very good at getting what I want, and usually spectacularly bad at picking sensible things to be wanting. ---
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810/100 "2010-09-09T20:53:46Z")
I heard an author in an interview on the radio today say “People can’t give you what they don’t have”. She was talking about her drug addicted, mentally ill parents and her upbringing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-wisest-thing-anyones-ever-said-to-you/552810.md?page=6)