Common sense is defined as “sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.” It’s often overlooked, but the power of common sense is immense. It’s a quality that can help us make better decisions, avoid dangerous situations, and ultimately lead a more fulfilling life. Here are 30 wise quotes on the power of common sense:
“Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe
This quote by Harriet Beecher Stowe defines common sense as the ability to see the world as it is and act accordingly. It’s about seeing things for what they truly are, rather than what we want them to be.
“Common sense is not so common.”
Voltaire
This quote by Voltaire highlights the fact that common sense is not as common as we might think. It’s a quality that many people lack, which can lead to poor decision-making and other negative consequences.
“Common sense is the most widely shared commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it.”
Rene Descartes
Rene Descartes’s quote shows that people often think they have plenty of common sense, but in reality, it’s not always the case. It’s important to recognize our own limitations and seek out advice and guidance from others when needed.
“Common sense is the foundation of all authorities, of the laws themselves, and of their construction.”
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson’s quote highlights the importance of common sense in the creation and interpretation of laws. Common sense is the foundation on which laws are built, and without it, they may become arbitrary and unjust.
“The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.”
Albert Einstein
This quote by Albert Einstein suggests that while common sense may not be as glamorous as genius, it’s an essential quality that can prevent us from making stupid mistakes.
“Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.”
Albert Einstein
Another quote by Albert Einstein, this one suggests that common sense is something that we acquire at a young age, based on our experiences and the prejudices we’ve developed. It’s up to us to challenge these prejudices and expand our understanding of the world.
“There is nothing so uncommon as common sense.”
Frank Lloyd Wright
This quote by Frank Lloyd Wright suggests that while common sense may seem like a simple quality, it’s actually quite rare. Those who possess it are often able to achieve great things.
“Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done.”
Josh Billings
This quote by Josh Billings echoes Harriet Beecher Stowe’s earlier quote, emphasizing the importance of seeing the world for what it truly is and acting accordingly.
“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.”
Stephen Hawking
This quote by Stephen Hawking suggests that common sense is not just about what we know, but also recognizing what we don’t know. It’s important to remain humble and open-minded, rather than assuming we know everything.
“Common sense is the best sense I know of.”
Lord Chesterfield
This quote by Lord Chesterfield emphasizes the value of common sense as a practical, down-to-earth quality that can help us navigate the complexities of life.
“Common sense is instinct, and enough of it is genius.”
Josh Billings
This quote by Josh Billings suggests that common sense is not just a practical quality, but also a type of instinct that can lead to genius-level thinking.
“One of the greatest victories you can gain over someone is to beat him at politeness.”
Josh Billings
This quote by Josh Billings emphasizes the importance of common sense in social situations. Being polite and respectful can often be more effective than being aggressive or argumentative.
“Common sense is not just seeing things as they are, but seeing things as they should be.”
Anonymous
This anonymous quote suggests that common sense is not just about being practical, but also about having a vision for a better future and taking steps to make it a reality.
“Common sense is the ability to see things from a different perspective.”
Anonymous
This anonymous quote highlights the importance of empathy in common sense. Seeing things from a different perspective can help us make better decisions and avoid misunderstandings.
“Common sense is the knack of seeing things from a different angle.”
Walter Sickert
This quote by Walter Sickert echoes the previous quote, emphasizing the importance of perspective-taking in common sense.
“Common sense is the measure of the possible; it is composed of experience and prevision; it is calculation applied to life.”
Henri-Frederic Amiel
This quote by Henri-Frederic Amiel emphasizes the practical, calculated nature of common sense. It’s not just about intuition, but also about using our past experiences to make informed decisions.
“Common sense is the genius of humanity.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
This quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe suggests that common sense is not just a quality of individuals, but also a collective genius that has helped humanity survive and thrive.
“Common sense is the foundation of all values.”
Abraham Joshua Heschel
This quote by Abraham Joshua Heschel emphasizes the importance of common sense in establishing our values and principles in life.
“Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are.”
Robert Heinlein
This quote by Robert Heinlein echoes earlier quotes, emphasizing the importance of seeing the world as it truly is, rather than through rose-colored glasses.
“Common sense is the best sense in the world.”
Edward VIII
This quote by Edward VIII echoes Lord Chesterfield’s earlier quote, emphasizing the practical, down-to-earth nature of common sense.
“Common sense is the most uncommon thing in the world.”
Henry Ford
This quote by Henry Ford emphasizes the rarity of common sense, and its value as a quality that can set us apart from others.
“Common sense is the instinct that tells us which way to go when we are lost.”
Anonymous
This anonymous quote emphasizes the practical value of common sense in solving problems and overcoming obstacles.
“Common sense is the art of thinking independently together.”
Malcolm Forbes
This quote by Malcolm Forbes emphasizes the collaborative nature of common sense. It’s not just about individual decision-making, but also about working together to make wise choices.
“Common sense is the foundation of all real knowledge.”
Thomas Huxley
This quote by Thomas Huxley emphasizes the importance of common sense as a foundation for learning and education.
“Common sense is the genius of making practical decisions.”
Anonymous
This anonymous quote highlights the practical, decision-making nature of common sense.
“Common sense is the ability to see the invisible.”
Anonymous
This anonymous quote suggests that common sense is not just about what we can see, but also about being able to perceive the intangible aspects of life.
“Common sense is the best guide in human life.”
Anonymous
This anonymous quote emphasizes the value of common sense as a guide for making wise choices throughout our lives.
“Common sense is the foundation of all good thinking.”
Anonymous
This anonymous quote highlights the importance of common sense as the basis for all other types of thinking and decision-making.
These 30 wise quotes on the power of common sense show that this quality is essential for making wise decisions and living a fulfilling life. It’s not just about intuition or instinct, but also about being able to see the world as it truly is and act accordingly.
