Baltasar Gracian
Baltasar Gracian was a Spanish Jesuit and philosopher who lived from 1601-1658. He was born the son of a doctor and studied theology and was a famous preacher. During the Spanish Baroque era, he used a style "Conceptismo" which is simple yet witty, play on words with multiple meanings full of satirical wit.
He achieved fame in Europe in countries like Germany and France. During the time, Europe has never produced a finer philosopher. His wisdom is unique and should be used in life and if you wish to prosper in this world where you lived in. Find out more on Baltasar Gracian's "The Art of Worldly Wisdom" which became as best-seller in the US and has since been translated in many other languages including Chinese and Japanese. Refer to some of his quotes to see if you do indeed find meaning in his wisdom.
His masterwork was the three part Criticon and another of his greatest works was The Art of World Wisdom, a collection of three hundred maxims. To this day, Gracian is considered one of the greatest authors of the Spanish Golden Age of literature, the "Siglo de Oro". This is why literature is considered very important for some. Most unfortunately, the Criticon, a novel was not approved by his superiors but he refused to stop publication and was later exiled in 1657. He died a year later.
Quotes
Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.
Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.
A man of honour should never forget what he is because he sees what others are.
True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island... to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.
A single lie destroys a whole reputation of integrity.
Don't show off every day or you will stop surprising people. There must always be some novelty left over, The person who displays a little more of it each day keeps up expectations and no one ever discovers the limits of his talent.
Never do anything when you are in a temper, for you will do everything wrong.
Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.
Fortunate people often have very favorable beginnings and very tragic endings. What matters isn't being applauded when you arrive - for that is common - but being missed when you leave.
Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose.
It is better to sleep on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterwards.
A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.
Attempt easy tasks as if they were difficult, and difficult as if they were easy; in the one case that confidence may not fall asleep, in the other that it may not be dismayed.
A beautiful woman should break her mirror early.
A bad manner spoils everything, even reason and justice; a good one supplies everything, gilds a No, sweetens a truth, and adds a touch of beauty to old age itself.
Those who insist on the dignity of their office show they have not deserved it.
To be at ease is better than to be at business. Nothing really belongs to us but time, which even he has who has nothing else.
One must pass through the circumference of time before arriving at the center of opportunity.
Never open the door to a lesser evil, for other and greater ones invariably slink in after it.
Don't take the wrong side of an argument just because your opponent has taken the right side.
Have friends. 'Tis a second existence.
Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.
It is good to vary in order that you may frustrate the curious, especially those who envy you.
Advice is sometimes transmitted more successfully through a joke than grave teaching.
Let the first impulse pass, wait for the second.
The envious die not once, but as oft as the envied win applause.
Be content to act, and leave the talking to others.
He that communicates his secret to another makes himself that other's slave.
Let him that hath no power of patience retire within himself, though even there he will have to put up with himself.
Luck can be assisted. It is not all chance with the wise.
Little said is soon amended. There is always time to add a word, never to withdraw one.
True knowledge lies in knowing how to live.
Work is the price which is paid for reputation.
Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit.
He that has satisfied his thirst turns his back on the well.
Hope is a great falsifier. Let good judgement keep her in check.
Many have had their greatness made for them by their enemies.
There is none who cannot teach somebody something, and there is none so excellent but he is excelled.
Fortune pays you sometimes for the intensity of her favours by the shortness of their duration. She soon tires of carrying any one long on her shoulders.
It is a great piece of skill to know how to guide your luck even while waiting for it.
Luck can be assisted. It is not all chance with the wise.
There are many more quotes. Find out about the "The Art of Worldly Wisdom". Use these inspiration daily as your Wisdom 101. Good luck!
His masterwork was the three part Criticon and another of his greatest works was The Art of World Wisdom, a collection of three hundred maxims. To this day, Gracian is considered one of the greatest authors of the Spanish Golden Age of literature, the "Siglo de Oro". This is why literature is considered very important for some. Most unfortunately, the Criticon, a novel was not approved by his superiors but he refused to stop publication and was later exiled in 1657. He died a year later.
Quotes
Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.
Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.
A man of honour should never forget what he is because he sees what others are.
True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island... to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.
A single lie destroys a whole reputation of integrity.
Don't show off every day or you will stop surprising people. There must always be some novelty left over, The person who displays a little more of it each day keeps up expectations and no one ever discovers the limits of his talent.
Never do anything when you are in a temper, for you will do everything wrong.
Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.
Fortunate people often have very favorable beginnings and very tragic endings. What matters isn't being applauded when you arrive - for that is common - but being missed when you leave.
Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose.
It is better to sleep on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterwards.
A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.
Attempt easy tasks as if they were difficult, and difficult as if they were easy; in the one case that confidence may not fall asleep, in the other that it may not be dismayed.
A beautiful woman should break her mirror early.
A bad manner spoils everything, even reason and justice; a good one supplies everything, gilds a No, sweetens a truth, and adds a touch of beauty to old age itself.
Those who insist on the dignity of their office show they have not deserved it.
To be at ease is better than to be at business. Nothing really belongs to us but time, which even he has who has nothing else.
One must pass through the circumference of time before arriving at the center of opportunity.
Never open the door to a lesser evil, for other and greater ones invariably slink in after it.
Don't take the wrong side of an argument just because your opponent has taken the right side.
Have friends. 'Tis a second existence.
Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.
It is good to vary in order that you may frustrate the curious, especially those who envy you.
Advice is sometimes transmitted more successfully through a joke than grave teaching.
Let the first impulse pass, wait for the second.
The envious die not once, but as oft as the envied win applause.
Be content to act, and leave the talking to others.
He that communicates his secret to another makes himself that other's slave.
Let him that hath no power of patience retire within himself, though even there he will have to put up with himself.
Luck can be assisted. It is not all chance with the wise.
Little said is soon amended. There is always time to add a word, never to withdraw one.
True knowledge lies in knowing how to live.
Work is the price which is paid for reputation.
Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit.
He that has satisfied his thirst turns his back on the well.
Hope is a great falsifier. Let good judgement keep her in check.
Many have had their greatness made for them by their enemies.
There is none who cannot teach somebody something, and there is none so excellent but he is excelled.
Fortune pays you sometimes for the intensity of her favours by the shortness of their duration. She soon tires of carrying any one long on her shoulders.
It is a great piece of skill to know how to guide your luck even while waiting for it.
Luck can be assisted. It is not all chance with the wise.
There are many more quotes. Find out about the "The Art of Worldly Wisdom". Use these inspiration daily as your Wisdom 101. Good luck!
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