Obscure Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old obscure quotes, obscure sayings, and obscure proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

How often the highest talent lurks in obscurity. Plautus
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown, Thus unlamented let me die, Steal from the world, and not a stone Tell where I lie. Alexander Pope
There is no defence against reproach, but obscurity; it is a kind of concomitant to greatness, as satires and invectives were an essential part of a Roman triumph. Joseph Addison
There is value in long years of obscurity, if one doesn't go insane or suicidal, in that, simply because nobody is looking, the habit of fooling around and trying things out gets ingrained. Jules Olitski
If you desire to know or learn anything to your advantage, then take delight in being unknown and unregarded. A true understanding and humble estimate of oneself is the highest and most valuable of all lessons. Thomas a Kempis
Content thyself to be obscurely good. When vice prevails and impious men bear away, the post of honor is a private station. Joseph Addison
Whoever knows he is deep tries to be clear, but whoever wants to seem deep to the crowd tries to be obscure. For the crowd supposes that anything it cannot see to the bottom must be deep: it is so timid and goes so unwillingly into the water. Friedrich Nietzsche
Obscurity, indeed, is painful to the mind as well as to the eye; but to bring light from obscurity, by whatever labour, must needsbe delightful and rejoicing. David Hume
Fame is fickle, but Obscurity is usually faithful to the end. Mason Cooley
Let there be no inscription upon my tomb. Let no man write my epitaph. No man can write my epitaph. I am here ready to die. I am not allowed to vindicate my character; and when I am prevented from vindicating myself, let no man dare calumniate me. Let my character and motives repose in obscurity and peace, till other times and other men can do them justice. Robert Emmet
The street to obscurity is paved with athletes who can perform great feats before friendly crowds. George Allen
Obscurity is dispelled by augmenting the light of discernment, not by attacking the darkness. Socrates
If you find something obscure fascinating, learn as much about it as you can, because there's a good chance it won't be obscure for long. Hilary Mason
I would rather live a short life of glory than a long one of obscurity. Alexander The Great
Even the most obscure hermit in the forest was not utterly alone; he too was enfolded in belonging. Herman Hesse
Life, misfortunes, isolation, abandonment, poverty, are battlefields which have their heroes; obscure heroes, sometimes greater than the illustrious heroes. Victor Hugo
When something does not insist on being noticed, when we aren't grabbed by the collar or struck on the skull by a presence or an event, we take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. Cynthia Ozick
Truth like the sun, submits to be obscured; but like the sun, only for a time. Christian Nestell Bovee
Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! - I have as much soul as you, - and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you! Charlotte Bronte
O how many noble deeds of women are lost in obscurity! Seneca
It is better to be looked over than overlooked. Mae West
Obscurity is the realm of error. Luc De Clapiers
Obscurity brings safety. Aesop
Be wary of passing the judgment: obscure. To find something obscure poses no difficulty: elephants and poodles find many things obscure. Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
He shone with the greater splendor, because he was not seen. Tacitus
Obscurity is the refuge of incompetence. Robert A. Heinlein
Maybe some people are better off in obscurity than trying to keep on expanding. Erika M. Anderson
Never be so brief as to become obscure. Hosea Ballou
Obscurity is never a virtue. Roald Dahl
One of the most pernicious effects of haste is obscurity. Samuel Johnson