--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The wise do not investigate such silliness." description: "\"The wise do not investigate such silliness.\" — Antonin Scalia" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63e/antonin-scalia-2855_investigate_the-wise-do-not-investigate-such-silline_1405728.png" --- # The wise do not investigate such silliness. ![“The wise do not investigate such silliness.” quote by Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63e/antonin-scalia-2855_investigate_the-wise-do-not-investigate-such-silline_1405728.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63e/antonin-scalia-2855_investigate_the-wise-do-not-investigate-such-silline_1405728.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63e/antonin-scalia-2855_investigate_the-wise-do-not-investigate-such-silline_1405728.png) > “The wise do not investigate such silliness.” [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The wise avoid trivial pursuits that distract from substantive matters. **In simple terms:** Ignore petty distractions. Key Takeaway Focus on meaningful issues. Themes wisdom focus prioritization Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - political debates - media consumption - office politics - social media Key Concepts legal philosophy critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - What “silliness” might you be overlooking? - How do you decide what is worth investigating? A Different Perspective Sometimes what seems trivial may hold hidden importance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Silliness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silliness/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [On this day, when we're celebrating our constitutional heritage, I urge you to be faithful to that heritage - to impose on our fellow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/on-this-day-when-we-re-celebrating-our-constitutional-heritage-i-urge/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Being a good person begins with being a wise person. Then, when you follow your conscience, will you be headed in the right direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/being-a-good-person-begins-with-being-a-wise-person-then-when-you/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [ \[Donald\] Trump was gonna investigate the whole kebang up there and figure out what had gone wrong and get rid of all the deadweight… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-was-gonna-investigate-the-whole-kebang-up-there-and/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Investigation may be likened to the long months of pregnancy, and solving a problem to the day of birth. To investigate a problem is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/investigation-may-be-likened-to-the-long-months-of-pregnancy-and/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [It is equally important to investigate wellness as it is to study misery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonja-lyubomirsky/it-is-equally-important-to-investigate-wellness-as-it-is-to-study/) [Sonja Lyubomirsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonja-lyubomirsky/) > [“the more entrenched and reactive we are about an issue, the more we need to investigate our responses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/the-more-entrenched-and-reactive-we-are-about-an-issue-the-more-we/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [We can and should investigate and learn from the wisdom in other religions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/we-can-and-should-investigate-and-learn-from-the-wisdom-in-other/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [You can really get your chops in shape in the resident theatres, and I urge anyone to investigate them and to be willing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jefferson-mays/you-can-really-get-your-chops-in-shape-in-the-resident-theatres-and-i/) [Jefferson Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jefferson-mays/) > [Whoever wishes to investigate medicine should proceed thus: In the first place, consider the seasons of the year and what effect each of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/whoever-wishes-to-investigate-medicine-should-proceed-thus-in-the/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [“The impulse to investigate can only be set free if you stop pretending to know answers that you don't. Because the incentives to pretend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-d-levitt/the-impulse-to-investigate-can-only-be-set-free-if-you-stop/) [Steven D. Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-d-levitt/) > [Those who love wisdom must investigate many things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/those-who-love-wisdom-must-investigate-many-things/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [Right after 9-11, as far as I know, one newspaper in the United States had the integrity to investigate opinion in the Muslim world:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/right-after-9-11-as-far-as-i-know-one-newspaper-in-the-united-states/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Here james this is what I meant to be ready to investigate!!<3 haha :D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/here-james-this-is-what-i-meant-to-be-ready-to-investigate-3-haha-d/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“As we explore new ways of loving and being loved by others, we need to equip ourselves with open, pliant minds; we need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/as-we-explore-new-ways-of-loving-and-being-loved-by-others-we-need-to/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Military investigations are designed not to find anyone guilty. And you can't investigate up the chain of command, which is a huge impediment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/military-investigations-are-designed-not-to-find-anyone-guilty-and/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) ## More by Antonin Scalia > [What is a moderate interpretation of the text? Halfway between what it really means and what you'd like it to mean?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/what-is-a-moderate-interpretation-of-the-text-halfway-between-what-it/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [If you think aficionados of a living Constitution want to bring you flexibility, think again. You think the death penalty is a good idea?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/if-you-think-aficionados-of-a-living-constitution-want-to-bring-you/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [More importantly, the Court forgets that ours is a government of laws and not of men. That means we are governed by the terms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/more-importantly-the-court-forgets-that-ours-is-a-government-of-laws/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Wringing your hands about states' rights, forget it. They're gone. Basically, the federal government can do whatever it wants. Who's going to protect the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/wringing-your-hands-about-states-rights-forget-it-they-re-gone/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [If you condemn someone who has committed a crime to be tortured, that would be unconstitutional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/if-you-condemn-someone-who-has-committed-a-crime-to-be-tortured-that/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Burning the flag is a form of expression. Speech doesn't just mean written words or oral words. It could be semaphore. And burning a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/burning-the-flag-is-a-form-of-expression-speech-doesn-t-just-mean/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Being a good person begins with being a wise person. Then, when you follow your conscience, will you be headed in the right direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/being-a-good-person-begins-with-being-a-wise-person-then-when-you/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [The court's job is to uphold the Constitution and you don't call that off in times of crisis. Would the framers have allowed this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/the-court-s-job-is-to-uphold-the-constitution-and-you-don-t-call-that/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [We have laws against torture. The Constitution says nothing whatever about torture. It speaks of punishment; 'cruel and unusual' punishments are forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/we-have-laws-against-torture-the-constitution-says-nothing-whatever/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/if-i-have-brought-any-message-today-it-is-this-have-the-courage-to/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Many think it not only inevitable but entirely proper that liberty give way to security in times of national crisis--that, at the extremes of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/many-think-it-not-only-inevitable-but-entirely-proper-that-liberty/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [That's the argument of flexibility and it goes something like this: The Constitution is over 200 years old and societies change. It has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/that-s-the-argument-of-flexibility-and-it-goes-something-like-this/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [Why in the world would you have it interpreted by nine lawyers?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/why-in-the-world-would-you-have-it-interpreted-by-nine-lawyers/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [ Who ever thought that intimacy and spirituality \[whatever that means\] were freedoms? And if intimacy is, one would think Freedom of Intimacy is abridged… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/who-ever-thought-that-intimacy-and-spirituality-whatever-that-means/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) > [I'm nervous about our civic culture. I'm not sure the Internet is largely the cause of it. It's certainly the cause of careless writing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/i-m-nervous-about-our-civic-culture-i-m-not-sure-the-internet-is/) [Antonin Scalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) [Explore all 146 Antonin Scalia quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/) ## More Investigate quotes > [ \[Donald\] Trump was gonna investigate the whole kebang up there and figure out what had gone wrong and get rid of all the deadweight… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-was-gonna-investigate-the-whole-kebang-up-there-and/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [“As we explore new ways of loving and being loved by others, we need to equip ourselves with open, pliant minds; we need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/as-we-explore-new-ways-of-loving-and-being-loved-by-others-we-need-to/) [Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/) > [Here james this is what I meant to be ready to investigate!!<3 haha :D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/here-james-this-is-what-i-meant-to-be-ready-to-investigate-3-haha-d/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Right after 9-11, as far as I know, one newspaper in the United States had the integrity to investigate opinion in the Muslim world:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/right-after-9-11-as-far-as-i-know-one-newspaper-in-the-united-states/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Those who love wisdom must investigate many things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/those-who-love-wisdom-must-investigate-many-things/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [“The impulse to investigate can only be set free if you stop pretending to know answers that you don't. Because the incentives to pretend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-d-levitt/the-impulse-to-investigate-can-only-be-set-free-if-you-stop/) [Steven D. Levitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-d-levitt/) > [Whoever wishes to investigate medicine should proceed thus: In the first place, consider the seasons of the year and what effect each of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/whoever-wishes-to-investigate-medicine-should-proceed-thus-in-the/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [You can really get your chops in shape in the resident theatres, and I urge anyone to investigate them and to be willing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jefferson-mays/you-can-really-get-your-chops-in-shape-in-the-resident-theatres-and-i/) [Jefferson Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jefferson-mays/) > [We can and should investigate and learn from the wisdom in other religions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/we-can-and-should-investigate-and-learn-from-the-wisdom-in-other/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [“the more entrenched and reactive we are about an issue, the more we need to investigate our responses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/the-more-entrenched-and-reactive-we-are-about-an-issue-the-more-we/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [It is equally important to investigate wellness as it is to study misery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonja-lyubomirsky/it-is-equally-important-to-investigate-wellness-as-it-is-to-study/) [Sonja Lyubomirsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonja-lyubomirsky/) > [Investigation may be likened to the long months of pregnancy, and solving a problem to the day of birth. To investigate a problem is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/investigation-may-be-likened-to-the-long-months-of-pregnancy-and/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Military investigations are designed not to find anyone guilty. And you can't investigate up the chain of command, which is a huge impediment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/military-investigations-are-designed-not-to-find-anyone-guilty-and/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [I actually interviewed other people about myself, and that alerted me to the fact that I had to really investigate my memories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/i-actually-interviewed-other-people-about-myself-and-that-alerted-me/) [Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/) > [I shall be obliged to wander to the right and to the left, that I may investigate and discover the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/i-shall-be-obliged-to-wander-to-the-right-and-to-the-left-that-i-may/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) Browse all 92 Investigate quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The wise do not investigate such silliness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Antonin Scalia" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/the-wise-do-not-investigate-such-silliness/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Investigate" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/the-wise-do-not-investigate-such-silliness/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63e/antonin-scalia-2855_investigate_the-wise-do-not-investigate-such-silline_1405728.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63e/antonin-scalia-2855_investigate_the-wise-do-not-investigate-such-silline_1405728.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63e/antonin-scalia-2855_investigate_the-wise-do-not-investigate-such-silline_1405728.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The wise do not investigate such silliness.” — Antonin Scalia", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Antonin Scalia", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-scalia/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The wise do not investigate such...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/the-wise-do-not-investigate-such-silliness/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-scalia/the-wise-do-not-investigate-such-silliness/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```