36 Owl Quotes, Sayings, and Proverbs

Owls have made a strong impression on writers, artists, and other people throughout the ages. Here are some noteworthy owl quotes, sayings, and proverbs about these wise and intriguing birds. 

And if you’d like to learn more owl symbolism, mythology, and spiritual meanings, visit my post on owl meanings. Enjoy!

Owl Quotes

1. “An owl is traditionally a symbol of wisdom, so we are neither doves nor hawks but owls, and we are vigilant when others are resting.” – Urjit Patel

2. “It was the owl that shrieked, the fatal bellman, which gives the sternest good night.” – William Shakespeare, Macbeth

3. “If we don’t preserve forest habitat for spotted owls, then soon we won’t have trees to refresh the air we breathe.” – Sam Keen

4. “An owl sound wandered along the road with me. I didn’t hear it. I breathed it into my ears.” – William Stafford

5. “Why should I copy this owl, this sea urchin? Why should I try to imitate nature? I might just as well try to trace a perfect circle.” – Pablo Picasso

6. “Do you think I was born in a wood to be afraid of an owl?” – Jonathan Swift

7. “Owls are known as lonely birds; but it is not known that they have the forest as their best friend.” – Mehmet Murat Ildan

8. “In the enemy’s territory, be as silent as the owl’s wings; in friend’s territory, be as cheerful as the nightingale’s songs.” – Mehmet Murat Ildan

9. “There was an old man with a beard, who said: ‘It is just as I feared! Two owls and a hen, four larks and a wren have all built their nests in my beard.’” – Edward Lear

10. “Owls are the wisest of all birds because they can see in the dark.” – Aristotle

11. “An owl’s eyes are like lanterns in the night, guiding us through the shadows of wisdom.” – Anonymous

12. “Listen to the whispers of the owl, for they carry ancient secrets of the night.” – Anonymous

13. “Owls are silent witnesses of the moon’s mysteries, perched upon branches of cosmic wonder.” – Anonymous

13. “The owl teaches us that sometimes it’s in the silence that the greatest lessons are learned.” – Anonymous

14. “The owl is a messenger of the night, bringing wisdom on its wings to those who seek.” – Anonymous

15. “Owls are the keepers of nocturnal knowledge, offering glimpses into the hidden realms of the Universe.” – Anonymous

16. “Through the haunting hoots of the owl, nature reveals its timeless wisdom to those who listen.” – Anonymous

17. “Owls are masters of adaptation, gracefully soaring through the darkness of change.” – Anonymous

18. “The owl is a symbol of intuition, reminding us to trust our inner voice in navigating life’s mysteries.” – Anonymous

Owl Proverbs

19. “The owl is the wisest of all birds because the more it sees the less it talks.” – Nigerian Proverb

20. “An owl hooting in the forest foretells a death.” – Russian Proverb

21. “When the owl sings, the nightingale is silent.” – Greek Proverb

22. “The owl of ignorance lays the egg of pride.” – Danish Proverb

23. “The owl sees at night and blinds himself during the day.” – Malagasy Proverb

24. “An owl that hoots during the day will not live to see the night.” – Native American Proverb

25. “An owl to a mouse is a nightmare.” – Czech Proverb

26. “The owl does not catch flies.” – Turkish Proverb

27. “When the owl screams, the nightingale is in danger.” – Armenian Proverb

Owl Sayings

 28. “Night owl” – Refers to a person who stays awake and is active during the night.

29. “Wise as an owl” – Describes someone who is highly knowledgeable and wise.

30. “Owl-eyed” – Describes someone who has keen vision or is observant.

31. “Hoot with the owls at night, soar with the eagles by day” – Encourages balancing work and play, enjoying nightlife while being productive during the day.

32. “To catch someone like an owl catches mice” – Means to catch someone off guard or unaware.

33. “Owl on the roof, death beneath” – Suggests that an owl perching on a roof is an omen of impending misfortune or death.

34. “A parliament of owls” – A collective term for a group of owls, derived from the idea that owls gather for intelligent or important meetings and discussions.

35. “Hear the owl’s cry and be mindful of your actions” – Serves as a reminder to pay attention to signs and omens, indicating the need for caution or awareness.

36. “The owl called my name” – Means a person senses their own mortality or that their life is going to transform in a major way. The reference is from the book I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven.

You might like these other articles on UniGuide:

• Owl Spirit Animal
• White Owl Meaning
• Spirit Animal Quotes
• Nature and Wilderness Quotes
• Dove Meaning