Home Improvement was one of those iconic shows of the 90s that were endlessly entertaining. Tim Taylor loved his family very much, and his wife, Jill, was an excellent mother who didn't hesitate from doing what she had to do to have a better life. Their three boys were all pretty good kids, obviously Randy was the best one because JTT was everyone's crush, but all three had some good moments.
The real star of the show that deserves a heck of a lot more credit than he gets was Wilson. He was the Taylor's trusty neighbor who was always there to lend a ear. He gave the most insightful advice, drawing on classic literature, ancient proverbs, and even some past presidents.
The fact that we never saw his face may have made us think of him as more of a comedic character, but if you actually go back and listen to the things he said to Tim, they are all ridiculously intelligent and impressive.
Going back and rewatching the show as an adult might give you a bit more insight than watching it as a kid did. Here are some of the best pieces of advice Wilson gave to Tim, even though Tim obviously never quite grasped the concepts.
"Better to have people think you're a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) (1835-1910), American Writer [Season 1, Episode 11]
"A great lover is not one who romances a different woman every night; a great lover is one who romances the same woman for a lifetime." Ancient Chinese Proverb [Season 2, Episode 04]
"Where wisdom is called for, force is of little use." Herodotus (circa 485-425 BC), Greek Historian [Season 2, Episode 19]
"The cruelest lies are often told in silence." Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), Scottish Writer [Season 2, Episode 22]
"Nothing I never said ever did me any harm" (John) Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), US President (1923-1929)[Season 2, Episode 22]
Wilson had a lot more amazing advice, click to the next page to see the rest.
"If you place a small value on yourself, rest assured, the world will not raise your price." A Philosopher [Season 3, Episode 25]
"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons; but if you treat them as sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes." Wally Schirra (1923- ), Astronaut, Commander Of Apollo 7 [Season 4, Episode 13]
"True nobility lies not in being superior to another man, but in being superior to one's previous self." Hindustan proverb [Season 5, Episode 14]
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), American Philosopher, Poet and Essayist [Season 7, Episode 23]
"Getting old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you never committed." Anthony Powell (1905- ), English Novelist. [Season 7, Episode 12]
What were some of your favorite Wilson moments? Share in the comments!