Reader, attend—whether thy soul / Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole, / Or darkling grubs this earthly hole / In low pursuit; / Know, prudent, cautious self-control / Is wisdom's root.

Meaning: Local experience can give an ordinary resident knowledge that an accomplished visitor lacks. The contrast warns against confusing general intelligence or prestige with familiarity with a particular place and its routines.

Meaning: Silence can leave observers with an impression of wisdom that has not been tested. The saying questions quick judgments about another person’s understanding, while allowing that listening quietly can itself be a thoughtful choice.

Meaning: Someone's belief may have been produced by what they want to be true, rather than by good evidence that it is true.

Meaning: A measure can register one property without recognising the differences that matter for another judgement. Equal weight does not mean equal value; choose evidence suited to the question.