--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Wisdom is for the meek,' he returns. 'And…" description: "\"“Wisdom is for the meek,' he returns. 'And it seldom helps them as much as they believe it will. After all, as wise as you are, you still married Locke..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/holly-black-329_holly-black_wisdom-is-for-the-meek-he-returns-and-it_2339569.png" --- # Wisdom is for the meek,' he returns. 'And it seldom helps… ![“Wisdom is for the meek,' he returns. 'And it seldom helps them as much as they believe it will. After all, as wise as you are, you still married Locke. Of course, perhaps you are wiser than even that- perhaps you're so wise you made yourself a widow, too.” quote by Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/holly-black-329_holly-black_wisdom-is-for-the-meek-he-returns-and-it_2339569.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/holly-black-329_holly-black_wisdom-is-for-the-meek-he-returns-and-it_2339569.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/holly-black-329_holly-black_wisdom-is-for-the-meek-he-returns-and-it_2339569.png) > ““Wisdom is for the meek,' he returns. 'And it seldom helps them as much as they believe it will. After all, as wise as you are, you still married Locke. Of course, perhaps you are wiser than even that- perhaps you're so wise you made yourself a widow, too.”” [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage sat that wisdom is often overvalued by the meek, who may still be trapped by societal expectations like marriage. **In simple terms:** Wisdom may not help the meek; they remain bound. Key Takeaway Question the true value of wisdom. Themes wisdom society marriage Mood thoughtful philosophical Type literary conversational When to use this quote - Personal relationships - career choices - self‑reflection Key Concepts Expectation self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - Do we overestimate wisdom’s power? - How do expectations shape our choices? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex social pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Holly-black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holly-black/) [Jude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jude/) [Jude-duarte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jude-duarte/) [Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/locke/) [Madoc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/madoc/) [Married Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/married-locke-5657720/) [Meek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meek/) [Taryn-duarte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taryn-duarte/) [The-folk-of-the-air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-folk-of-the-air/) [The-queen-of-nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-queen-of-nothing/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wisdom Meek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom-meek-5657722/) [Wise Married](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-married-5657723/) [Wise Widow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-widow-5657721/) ## Related quotes > [Wise married women don't trouble themselves about infidelity in their husbands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/wise-married-women-don-t-trouble-themselves-about-infidelity-in-their/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“Madoc makes a snorting sound, then turns to me. 'I am sure that Wren here wouldn't mind taking Lady Nore's castle and lands for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/madoc-makes-a-snorting-sound-then-turns-to-me-i-am-sure-that-wren/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“What do you think he did to me to deserve to die?' I ask. He stokes the fire. Sparks fly up. 'I assumed he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/what-do-you-think-he-did-to-me-to-deserve-to-die-i-ask-he-stokes-the/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“He might not want to hurt me, but that doesn't mean he won't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/he-might-not-want-to-hurt-me-but-that-doesn-t-mean-he-won-t/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“You were my guest until you drew your very fancy sword. Put it down and by my guest again.' 'Put it down?' says Madoc.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/you-were-my-guest-until-you-drew-your-very-fancy-sword-put-it-down/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“...when they are gone, it will be use staring across a chessboard at each other. And when I best you, I will make sure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/when-they-are-gone-it-will-be-use-staring-across-a-chessboard-at-each/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Though I would not delight to see the straps sink into your skin, neither would I mourn.' 'Enough blustering,' he says. 'You've already won.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/though-i-would-not-delight-to-see-the-straps-sink-into-your-skin/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Have you come to throw yourself on the mercy of the crown? Perhaps you hope the Queen of Elfhame will show leniency.' Madoc barks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/have-you-come-to-throw-yourself-on-the-mercy-of-the-crown-perhaps-you/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Father, I am what you made me. I’ve become your daughter after all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/father-i-am-what-you-made-me-i-ve-become-your-daughter-after-all/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Let's have a toast. To the incompetence of our enemies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/let-s-have-a-toast-to-the-incompetence-of-our-enemies/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Once upon a time, there was a girl named Taryn and she had a faerie lover who came to her at night. He was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/once-upon-a-time-there-was-a-girl-named-taryn-and-she-had-a-faerie/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I pictured Locke's heart shot through with an arrow and then shook my head to get rid of the image. It wasn't like me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-pictured-locke-s-heart-shot-through-with-an-arrow-and-then-shook-my/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“To show you what you would not otherwise believe,' Locke said. 'Envy. Fear. Anger. Jealousy. They're all spices.' He laughed at my expression. 'What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/to-show-you-what-you-would-not-otherwise-believe-locke-said-envy-fear/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“No, I won't help you. No I won't hear you explain why I should. It really is a magical word: no. You say whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/no-i-won-t-help-you-no-i-won-t-hear-you-explain-why-i-should-it/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Aren't you ever careless?' he asked. 'Always, with you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/aren-t-you-ever-careless-he-asked-always-with-you/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## More by Holly Black > [“What they don’t realize is this: Yes, they frighten me, but I have always been scared, since the day I got here. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/what-they-don-t-realize-is-this-yes-they-frighten-me-but-i-have/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [When you don't know what you're searching for, you have to look absolutely everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/when-you-don-t-know-what-you-re-searching-for-you-have-to-look/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Madoc makes a snorting sound, then turns to me. 'I am sure that Wren here wouldn't mind taking Lady Nore's castle and lands for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/madoc-makes-a-snorting-sound-then-turns-to-me-i-am-sure-that-wren/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [That’s family for you. Can’t live with them, can’t murder them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/that-s-family-for-you-can-t-live-with-them-can-t-murder-them/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“No, I won't help you. No I won't hear you explain why I should. It really is a magical word: no. You say whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/no-i-won-t-help-you-no-i-won-t-hear-you-explain-why-i-should-it/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Let her alone,' said the enkanto, 'or I will curse you blind, lame, and worse.' The old man laughed. 'I'm a curse breaker, fool.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/let-her-alone-said-the-enkanto-or-i-will-curse-you-blind-lame-and/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“lt's an honor and a delight to meet you and a tragedy you're here”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/lt-s-an-honor-and-a-delight-to-meet-you-and-a-tragedy-you-re-here/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“No fire at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/no-fire-at-all/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“His wax-white skin was cool to the touch when she brushed his neck to find the knot of cloth. She'd never been this close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/his-wax-white-skin-was-cool-to-the-touch-when-she-brushed-his-neck-to/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [So what are you really wearing?" The words left her mouth before she could consider them. She winced. He didn't seem to mind; in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/so-what-are-you-really-wearing-the-words-left-her-mouth-before-she/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I grab a chair. "I don't mean to pry," I say, "but we're in a hospital. You sure you're fine?" She sighs heavily. "No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-grab-a-chair-i-don-t-mean-to-pry-i-say-but-we-re-in-a-hospital-you/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [Kaye: You know what the sun looks like? Janet: No, What? Kaye: Like he slit his wrists in a bathtub and the blood is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/kaye-you-know-what-the-sun-looks-like-janet-no-what-kaye-like-he-slit/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“That was how she felt, right then. As if there was too much of her, as if her skin was tight with muchness. She…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/that-was-how-she-felt-right-then-as-if-there-was-too-much-of-her-as/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“It was a vow, a piece of a chant, their scripture, something they took so seriously that saying it aloud embarrassed them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/it-was-a-vow-a-piece-of-a-chant-their-scripture-something-they-took/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Some broken things stay broken”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/some-broken-things-stay-broken/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) [Explore all 666 Holly Black quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) ## More Holly-black quotes > [“Madoc makes a snorting sound, then turns to me. 'I am sure that Wren here wouldn't mind taking Lady Nore's castle and lands for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/madoc-makes-a-snorting-sound-then-turns-to-me-i-am-sure-that-wren/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“No, I won't help you. No I won't hear you explain why I should. It really is a magical word: no. You say whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/no-i-won-t-help-you-no-i-won-t-hear-you-explain-why-i-should-it/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Oak gave up his room so they could sleep there, and although the bed is small, Cardan cannot mind when he takes Jude in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/oak-gave-up-his-room-so-they-could-sleep-there-and-although-the-bed/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Who calls at Habetrot's chamber?' comes a whispery voice. Oak raises his eyebrows at me, as though he intends me to answer. Fine, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/who-calls-at-habetrot-s-chamber-comes-a-whispery-voice-oak-raises-his/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Are you angry about-' He cuts himself off, looking at my face more carefully. 'No, you're afraid. But why would you be afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/are-you-angry-about-he-cuts-himself-off-looking-at-my-face-more/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Her hair falls loose in a cascade of black curls, caught in a crown of magenta bougainvillea.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/her-hair-falls-loose-in-a-cascade-of-black-curls-caught-in-a-crown-of/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“You put a curse on that girl over there,' I tell him. 'Fix her immediately.' 'She admired my ears,' the boy says. 'I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/you-put-a-curse-on-that-girl-over-there-i-tell-him-fix-her/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Instead of being afraid, I could become something to fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/instead-of-being-afraid-i-could-become-something-to-fear/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Let's have a toast. To the incompetence of our enemies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/let-s-have-a-toast-to-the-incompetence-of-our-enemies/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Then Cardan comes in to view, a fond smile on his lips. When he speaks, he does so in a conspiratorial whisper. 'When I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/then-cardan-comes-in-to-view-a-fond-smile-on-his-lips-when-he-speaks/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“We don't always have a choice in our fate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/we-don-t-always-have-a-choice-in-our-fate/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Please,' I say to the dirt floor of the brugh, to the earth itself. 'I will do whatever you want. I will give up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/please-i-say-to-the-dirt-floor-of-the-brugh-to-the-earth-itself-i/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“Be careful," Aidan called from the bed. "You don't know what he might do." "We all know what you'd do, though, don't we?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/be-careful-aidan-called-from-the-bed-you-don-t-know-what-he-might-do/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“I pictured Locke's heart shot through with an arrow and then shook my head to get rid of the image. It wasn't like me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/i-pictured-locke-s-heart-shot-through-with-an-arrow-and-then-shook-my/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“In the dream, Tana's mother loved her more than anyone or anything. More than death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/in-the-dream-tana-s-mother-loved-her-more-than-anyone-or-anything/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) [Browse all 181 Holly-black quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holly-black/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Wisdom is for the meek,' he returns. 'And it seldom helps them as much as they believe it will. After all, as wise as you are, you still married Locke. Of course, perhaps you are wiser than even that- perhaps you're so wise you made yourself a widow, too.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Holly Black" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/wisdom-is-for-the-meek-he-returns-and-it-seldom-helps-them-as-much-as/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Holly-black" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/wisdom-is-for-the-meek-he-returns-and-it-seldom-helps-them-as-much-as/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/holly-black-329_holly-black_wisdom-is-for-the-meek-he-returns-and-it_2339569.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/holly-black-329_holly-black_wisdom-is-for-the-meek-he-returns-and-it_2339569.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc5/holly-black-329_holly-black_wisdom-is-for-the-meek-he-returns-and-it_2339569.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Wisdom is for the meek,' he returns. 'And it seldom helps them as much as they believe it will. After all…” — Holly Black", "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": "Holly Black", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Wisdom is for the meek,' he...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/wisdom-is-for-the-meek-he-returns-and-it-seldom-helps-them-as-much-as/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/wisdom-is-for-the-meek-he-returns-and-it-seldom-helps-them-as-much-as/#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 } } ] } ```