Wise ones

SAGES

["**Hint:** They’re often sought for their wisdom and insight, especially in ancient times.\n\n*(This hint guides the solver toward the idea of wise individuals without directly repeating \"wise ones\" or giving away \"sages.\" It suggests a historical or revered context, making the answer easier to infer.)*"]

**Explanation:** The clue "Wise ones" is a straightforward definition leading to the answer "SAGES." A "sage" is a term commonly used to describe a profoundly wise person, often associated with great knowledge and judgment. There is no wordplay or pun involved here—it’s a direct synonym-based clue where "wise ones" directly points to "sages." In crossword puzzles, such clues are known as "straight" or "definition" clues, relying on the solver's vocabulary rather than clever wordplay. The answer fits perfectly as "sages" is a well-known term for wise individuals, often used in historical, philosophical, or literary contexts.