quotations about common sense
Fine sense and exalted sense are not half so useful as common sense. There are forty men of wit for one man of sense; and he that will carry nothing about him but gold, will be every day at a loss for want of readier change.
ALEXANDER POPE
"Thoughts on Various Subjects"
Many people are hunting after uncommon sense, but they never find it a good deal. Uncommon sense is of the nature of genius, and all genius is the gift of God and can't be had, like hens' eggs, for the hunting.
JOSH BILLINGS
The Complete Works of Josh Billings
The light of common sense is fundamentally the same light as that of science, that is to say, the natural light of the intellect. But in common sense this light does not return upon itself by critical reflection, and is not perfected by what we shall learn to know as a scientific habit.
JACQUES MARITAIN
An EPZ Introduction to Philosophy
Common sense is the foundation of all authorities, of the laws themselves, and of their construction.
THOMAS JEFFERSON
Batture Case, 1812
Why level downward to our dullest perception always, and praise that as common sense? The commonest sense is the sense of men asleep, which they express by snoring.
HENRY DAVID THOREAU
Walden
Common sense is as rare as genius--is the basis of genius.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
"Experience," Essays
Common sense is the measure of the possible; it is composed of experience and prevision; it is calculation applied to life.
HENRI-FRÉDÉRIC AMIEL
Journal Intime
Common Sense--that genius of mankind, which, when properly directed is the one attribute that will carry man and his kind successfully through the perplexities of life.
YORITOMO TASHI
Common Sense: How to Exercise It
Science is a first-rate piece of furniture for a man's upper chamber, if he has common sense on the ground floor.
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES
The Atlantic Monthly, May 1872
Common sense is a phrase employed to denote that degree of intelligence, sagacity, and prudence which is common to all men.
WILLIAM FLEMING
The Vocabulary of Philosophy
The essence of common sense is to stay in close contact with life as it is lived.
SCOTT P. SEGREST
America and the Political Philosophy of Common Sense
The mind is very persuasive and it helps us make the best and worst decisions based on individual circumstances. Common sense is the counter-balance.
KEITH AMBERSLEY
911-Common Sense Money
Common sense is a flower that doesn't grow in everyone's garden.
ANONYMOUS
Common sense is like deoderant. The people who need it most never use it.
VINCENT THNAY
Of Quips 'N' Quirks
There is nobody so irritating as somebody with less intelligence and more common sense.
DON HEROLD
attributed, Words of Wisdom and Quotable Quotes
Common sense is nature's gift, but reason is an art.
BEATTIE
attributed, Day's Collacon
Common sense is not an issue in politics--it's an affliction.
WILL ROGERS
Will Rogers: Reflections and Observations
Common sense will nearly always stand you in better stead than a slavish adherence to the conventions.
M. M. KAYE
Shadow of the Moon
Common sense is better than genius, and hence its bestowment is more universal.
HORACE MANN
Thoughts
To be afraid is a sign of common sense. Only complete idiots are not afraid of anything.
CARLOS RUIZ ZAFON
The Angel's Game