English

Noun

pearl of wisdom ‎(plural pearls of wisdom)

1. (idiomatic, often sarcastic) A succinct, insightful saying, piece of advice, or moral precept.
   • 1908, W. Somerset Maugham, The Magician, ch. 3:

     "I am desolated to lose the pearls of wisdom that habitually fall from your cultivated lips," returned Haddo.

   • 2008, Ivan Speck, "Meet Raymond Domenech, the maddest coach at Euro 2008," Daily Mail Online (UK), 8 Jun. (retrieved 23 June 2008):

     How about this pearl of wisdom after France lost to Scotland again, this time in Paris? He said: "You always lose when your opponents score and you don't."

Translations

Usage notes

• Often used in the plural form.