30 Quotes That Will Make You Sound Like a Genius

30 Quotes That Will Make You Sound Like a Genius - 1

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If you want to sound clever but don’t have the time or patience to read a few hundred books, don’t worry. Memorizing a few key phrases and quotes will not only make you sound sophisticated and cultured, it will inspire others around you to rise to the occasion. Mark Twain, Albert Einstein, Socrates, and Eleanor Roosevelt all feature in this list which will make you the center of attention at your next dinner party. Try to space them out so you don’t pull a David Brent and make it obvious. Here are 30 quotes that will make you sound like the genius you would be if you didn’t have to, you know, work and live a normal life.

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Oscar Wilde - 2

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A very witty way of saying the grass is always greener on the other side.

Albert Einstein - 3

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Success may be fleeting, but real fulfillment comes from your character and integrity.

Mark Twain - 4

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Always question your beliefs and assumptions.

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Socrates statue in Athens in front of the National Academy. - 5

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Acknowledging ignorance is the first step towards finding the truth.

An ancient portrait bust of Socrates the philosopher. - 6

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Self-awareness is key to a happy, fulfilling life.

The Big Seated Buddha Statue in Bangkok, Thailand - 7

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Our thoughts shape our reality—make sure they’re good ones.

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Martin Luther King Jr. - 8

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Those we love have more power to hurt us than our enemies do. Loyalty and support is everything.

Franklin D. Roosevelt - 9

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Do not allow fear to undermine your dreams and ambitions.

Eleanor Roosevelt - 10

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Believe in yourself and work hard for your goals.

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Albert Einstein - 11

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This one will make people laugh—ignorance and folly really are limitless.

Copy of the portrait of Plato made by Silanion ca. 370 BC for the Academia in Athens. - 12

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Happiness comes from being content with the small things.

Albert Einstein - 13

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Imagination has no limits—don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

Marble bust of Aristotle. - 14

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Good habits and consistent behavior is what leads to success.

Franklin D. Roosevelt - 15

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Fear will undermine your life—don’t let it.

Lao Tzu - 16

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Be patient and stay the course. No matter how overwhelming something might be, the first step is the most important.

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William Shakespeare - 17

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Self-integrity is the foundation for an authentic life.

Alan Kay - 18

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Don’t be passive about the future, take steps to shape it.

John Lennon - 19

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Learn to appreciate the present moment.

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Winston Churchill - 20

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Nothing is more important than courage and the will to continue, no matter what the outcome.

Robert Frost - 21

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Despite challenges and changes, life continues—learn to adapt.

The Donglin Giant Buddha on Mount Lushan, in China. - 22

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Your thoughts are more powerful than you think.

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Edmund Burke - 23

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When you stand by and watch evil happen, you are complicit. Fight for what is right.

Nelson Mandela - 24

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Persistence and resilience is key to an honorable, happy life.

Mark Twain - 25

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Telling the truth and living an authentic life is so much more simple that keeping up with a web of lies and deceit.

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George Addair - 26

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Fear will stop you from reaching your goals and living your dreams. Don’t let it.

Wooden Sculpted Bust of Poet and Welsh Bard Dylan Thomas in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire. - 27

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Never back down without a fight—always try to succeed, and don’t give up.

Alexander Pope - 28

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Be the bigger person and forgive when you can.

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Life is what’s happening right now—live it.

Mahatma Gandhi - 30

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If you want to change the world, start with yourself.

Walt Disney - 31

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You can talk and plan all you want, but action is what counts.