“Politeness iz often wasted, but it iz a good and cheap mistake tew make.”

— Josh Billings, Josh Billings: His Works, Complete, 1873

About Josh Billings

1818 – 1885

Pen name of the American humorist Henry Wheeler Shaw.

“There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness.”

“I honestly beleave it iz better tew know nothing than two know what ain't so.”

“Tew bring up a child in the wa he should go—travel that wa yourself.”

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”