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Baltasar Gracian

Baltasar Gracian Quotes

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Famous Baltasar Gracian Quotes

“Know how to play the card of contempt. It is the most politic kind of revenge. For there are many of whom we should have known nothing if their distinguished opponents had taken no notice of them. There is no revenge like oblivion, for it is the entombment of the unworthy in the dust of their own nothingness.”

IfsKnowsShouldKindPlayKnownKnow HowTakenShould HaveRevengeCardsDustOpponentsContemptNothingnessOblivionDistinguishedUnworthyShould Have KnownNo Revenge
Author:Baltasar Gracian
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“Keep the extent of your abilities unknown.The wise man does not allow his knowledge and abilities to be sounded to the bottom, if he desires to be honored at all. He allows you to know them but not to comprehend them. No one must know the extent of his abilities, lest he be disappointed. No one ever has an opportunity of fathoming him entirely. For guesses and doubts about the extent of his talents arouse more veneration than accurate knowledge of them, be they ever so great.”

IfsKnowsMenDoeDesireOpportunityAbilityDoubtWiseTalentBottomDisappointedAccurateHonoredVeneration
Author:Baltasar Gracian
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“Many of the things that bring delight should not be owned. They are more enjoyed if another's, than if yours; the first day they give pleasure to the owner, but in all the rest to the others: what belongs to another rejoices doubly, because it is without the risk of going stale and with the satisfaction of freshness. . . the possession of things not only diminishes their enjoyment, but augments their annoyance, whether shared or not shared.”

IfsGivingShouldFirstsPleasureRiskSatisfactionDelightPossessionEnjoyedEnjoymentOwnersRejoiceDiminishStaleFreshnessAnnoyance
Author:Baltasar Gracian
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