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Baltasar Gracian Quotes

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Baltasar Gracian, born on January 8, 1601 and died on December 6, 1658, was a renowned Spanish writer, philosopher, and theologian. He is known for his profound philosophical thoughts and unique literary style.

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All Ifs Men Wise Worldly Wisdom Should Knows Advice Wisdom Doe Friendship People Fool Littles Lying Needs May Advantage Art Enemy Fortune

Famous Baltasar Gracian Quotes

“Watchfulness is the only guard against cunning. Be intent on his intentions. Many succeed in making others do their own affairs, and unless you possess the key to their motives you may at any moment be forced to take their chestnuts out of the fire to the damage of your own fingers.”

May Moments Fire Keys Succeed Intention Fingers Affair Motive Damage Cunning Chestnuts Watchfulness

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“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.”

Ifs May Fall Easy Difficult Cases Confidence Achievement Tasks Have Confidence Belief In Self Dismay Dismayed Easy Tasks

Book:The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Source: The Art of Worldly Wisdom

“It is good to vary in order that you may frustrate the curious, especially those who envy you.”

May Order Envy Curious Variety Vary

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“Do not be inaccessible. None is so perfect that he does not need at times the advice of others. He is an incorrigible ass who will never listen to any one. Even the most surpassing intellect should find a place for friendly counsel. Sovereignty itself must learn to lean. There are some that are incorrigible simply because they are inaccessible: They fall to ruin because none dares to extricate them. The highest should have the door open for friendship; it may prove the gate of help. A friend must be free to advise, and even to upbraid, without feeling embarrassed.”

Source: The Art of Worldly Wisdom

“Display startling novelty-rise afresh like the sun every day. Change too the scene on which you shine, so that you rloss may be felt in the old scenes of your triumph, while the novelty of your powers wins applause in the new.”

May Winning Felt Sun Advice Scene Shining Triumph Display Novelty Applause

Book:The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Source: The Art of Worldly Wisdom

“Know what is evil, no matter how worshipped it may be. Let the man of sense not mistake it, even when clothed in brocade, or at times crowned in gold, because it cannot thereby hide its hypocrisy, for slavery does not lose its infamy, however noble the master.”

Knows Men May Doe Matter Evil Loses Mistake He Man Masters Gold Slavery Noble Hypocrisy Infamy

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“The great art of giving consists in this the gift should cost very little and yet be greatly coveted, so that it may be the more highly appreciated.”

Inspirational Giving Should May Littles Art Motivational Cost Great Art Appreciated

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“You may be obliged to wage war, but not to use poisoned arrows.”

May War Use Weapons Obliged Arrows

Book:The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Source: The Art of Worldly Wisdom

About the Author

Born: January 8, 1601
Died: December 6, 1658
Known for: Writer
Quotes: 261

Books & Sources

The Art of Worldly WisdomRelated source material

Oraculo y manualRelated source material

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