Spend your time in the company of geniuses, sages, children, and books. — Anthony J. D'Angelo
Spend your time in the company of geniuses, sages, children, and books.
Author: Anthony J. D'Angelo
Insight: Most of us think about time like money—where we spend it, who we give it to, what return we get. But this quote suggests something quieter: the people and things you're around don't just fill your hours; they shape how you think and what you become. Sitting with genuinely brilliant people, those who've thought deeply about life, isn't about extracting wisdom like you're downloading information. It's osmosis. You start asking better questions, noticing patterns, holding ideas more lightly. The surprising part is lumping children in there alongside sages and geniuses. Kids aren't wise in the conventional sense, but they see things freshly—they ask why without the weight of "that's just how it is." They remind you that curiosity doesn't require credentials. And books? They're the great equalizer. You get access to dead geniuses, living sages, perspectives from places you'll never go, all at your own pace, in your own room. The real implication is that you can't separate who you become from the company you keep—literal company included. It's not about status or networking. It's recognizing that every hour spent around people or ideas worth your attention is an investment in becoming someone more thoughtful, alive, and awake to the world.