"The words of wisdom" is a common idiom in English that can be used to describe a variety of statements or pieces of advice that are especially wise, rational, or informative.

In short:

• "The words of wisdom" are words that are especially wise, sagacious, or informative.
• In addition, it can be used to praise, inspire, educate, or guide oneself or others.
• On the other hand, the phrase can also be used sarcastically to imply that what is said is banal, useless, or uninformative.

What Does "The Words of Wisdom" Mean?

The idiom "the words of wisdom" means incredibly clever, discerning, or factual words. It can complement, motivate, teach, or direct oneself or others. Otherwise, it can also be used sarcastically to imply that what is said is bland, useless, or uninformative.

Some variations and related expressions of the idiom "the words of wisdom" are:

• To cut one's wisdom teeth: To reach an age or state of maturity.
• Experience is the father/mother of wisdom: Most wisdom is gained by experiencing different things.
• With the benefit/wisdom of hindsight: It is used to indicate that something is easier to understand or explain after it has happened.

Where Does "The Words of Wisdom" Come From?

The idiom "the words of wisdom" comes from combining two words: word and wisdom. "Word" is an Old English word derived from the Proto-Germanic word wurdan, which meant "speech" or "utterance. While "wisdom" is an Old English word derived from the Proto-Germanic word wisdōmaz, which also meant "knowledge" or "learning."

Moreover, the expression "the words of wisdom" was first recorded in the late 14th century. It originally referred to the teachings or sayings of wise or learned people, especially religious or philosophical ones.

Historical Example

"And one of the greatest words of wisdom I worked with and writings I teach."

— excerpt from the poem "Piers Plowman," written by William Langland in 1370

10 Examples of "The Words of Wisdom" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use the idiom "the words of wisdom" and its variations in different sentences, demonstrating different contexts and situations:

• He listened attentively to his grandfather's words of wisdom. He has always looked up to him ever since he was a child.
• The speaker shared some words of wisdom with the graduates, mostly about her past experiences.
• Sandy thanked her mother for her words of wisdom. Mother knows best, after all.
• She found a word of wisdom in his best friend's letter. He is quite a smart cookie.
• Cole always heeds words of wisdom from his father whenever he is going through trying times.
• He wrote down the words of wisdom he heard from the speaker in the program.
• They ignored her words of wisdom and regretted it later. What can I say? They were stubborn, inconsiderate, and foolish, to name a few.
• Lina sarcastically thanked Larry for his words of wisdom, which were unhelpful and useless. Quite frankly, a pile of crap.
• Glenn asked his brother for words of wisdom before making the big decision.
• The students thanked the professor for his words of wisdom, which were inspiring and helpful.

Examples of "The Words of Wisdom" in Pop Culture

The idiom "the words of wisdom" and its variations have also been used in various forms of pop culture, such as songs, movies, books, and TV shows.

Here are some examples:

• The Lion King, a movie directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff in 1994, mentions "the words of wisdom": "Hakuna Matata," which means no worries for the rest of your days.
• "You only live once, but once is enough if you do it right." - "the words of Wisdom" from the movie Midnight in Paris, directed by Woody Allen in 2011.
• "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - "words of wisdom" from the book "The Cat's Quandary" by Dr. Seuss, 1997.

Other Ways to Say "The Words of Wisdom"

There are many other ways to say "the words of wisdom" or to express a similar meaning or feeling.

Here are some synonyms or alternative expressions for the idiom "the words of wisdom":

• To give or share advice
• To offer or impart guidance
• To provide or deliver insight
• To teach or instruct
• To enlighten or illuminate
• To inspire or motivate
• To educate or inform
• To reveal or disclose
• To suggest or recommend
• To counsel or mentor

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "The Words of Wisdom"

Here are some frequently asked questions about the idiom "the words of wisdom" and their answers:

• What does "the words of wisdom" mean?

"The words of wisdom" is a common idiom in English that can be used to describe a variety of statements or pieces of advice that are especially wise, rational, or informative.

• What is the origin of "the words of wisdom"?

The idiom "the words of wisdom" comes from combining two words: word and wisdom. "Word" is an Old English word derived from the Proto-Germanic word wurdan, which meant "speech" or "utterance. While "wisdom" is an Old English word derived from the Proto-Germanic word wisdōmaz, which also meant "knowledge" or "learning."

• What are some synonyms for "the words of wisdom"?

Some synonyms for "the words of wisdom" are: to give or share advice, to offer or impart guidance, to provide or deliver insight, to teach or instruct, to enlighten or illuminate.

• What are some antonyms for "the words of wisdom"?

Some antonyms for "the words of wisdom" are: to give or share nonsense, to offer or impart confusion, to provide or deliver misinformation, to teach or instruct wrongly, to darken or obscure.

• Is "the words of wisdom" a positive or negative expression?

It depends on the context and tone of voice. The phrase can be a positive expression when it means to praise, inspire, educate, or guide oneself or others with wise or helpful words. On the other hand, it can also be a negative expression when used sarcastically to imply that what is said is stale, useless, or uninformative.

• How do you pronounce "the words of wisdom"?

You can pronounce "the words of wisdom" by saying /ðə wɜrdz əv wɪzdəm/ (the wurds uhv wiz-duhm). The vowel sound in "wisdom" is similar to the sound in "is", "his", or "this".

• What is the difference between "the words of wisdom" and "the pearls of wisdom"?

Both expressions mean words that are especially wise, discerning, or informative, but "the pearls of wisdom" is more symbolic and poetic than "the words of wisdom." The metaphor implies that the words are valuable and precious like pearls.

• What is the difference between "the words of wisdom" and "a word of wisdom"?

Both expressions mean words that are especially wise, discerning, or informative, but "the words of wisdom" is more commonly used to refer to multiple words or statements. In contrast, "a word of wisdom" is more widely used to refer to a single word or idea.

• What is the difference between "the words of wisdom" and "the nuggets of wisdom"?

Both expressions mean words that are especially wise, discerning, or informative, but "the nuggets of wisdom" is more metaphorical and colloquial than "the words of wisdom." The metaphor implies that the words are small but valuable, like nuggets.

• How do you express "the words of wisdom" in other languages?

Spanish: las palabras de sabiduría

French: les mots de sagesse

German: die Worte der Weisheit

Final Thoughts About "The Words of Wisdom"

The "words of wisdom" are a common and versatile idiom in English that can be used to describe a variety of statements or pieces of advice that are especially wise, rational, or informative. Moreover, it can praise, inspire, educate, or guide oneself or others with wise or helpful words. Lastly, it can also be used sarcastically to imply that what is said is stale, useless, or uninformative.

Some key points to remember about the idiom "the words of wisdom":

• The expression comes from the combination of two words: word and wisdom.
• The phrase has some variations and related terms.
• The idiom has some synonyms and antonyms.