“What a wise man knows seems so plain and simple to himself that he easily makes the mistake of thinking it to be so for others.”

— John Lancaster Spalding

Source: Aphorisms and Reflections (1901), p. 233

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John Lancaster Spalding 202

Catholic bishop 1840–1916

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“A Wise man knows that much of what he says and does is commonplace and trivial. His thoughts are not all solemn and sacred in his own eyes. He is able to laugh at himself and is not offended when others make him a subject whereon to exercise their wit.”

John Lancaster Spalding (1840–1916) Catholic bishop

Source: Aphorisms and Reflections (1901), p. 270

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