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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

“A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.”

“At twenty a man is a peacock, at thirty a lion, at forty a camel, at fifty a serpent, at sixty a dog, at seventy an ape, at eighty a nothing at all.”

Men Age Time Dog Twenties Aging Thirty Fifty Forty Lions Sixty Seventies Eighty Apes Serpent Camels Peacock

Book:The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Source: The Art of Worldly Wisdom

“Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose.”

Men War Wisdom Fighting Loses Conflict Losing Anger Gambling Nothing To Lose Fighting On

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“A man of honour should never forget what he is because he sees what others are.”

Men Should Truth Forget Never Forget Honour

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“A man is judged by his friends, for the wise and the foolish have never agreed.”

Men Friendship Wise Foolish Judged

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“Do not commit yourself to anybody or anything, for that is to be a slave, a slave to every man Above all, keep yourself free of commitments and obligations - they are the device of another to get you into his power”

Men Commitment Slave Every Man Obligation Commit Devices Be A Slave

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“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

“Do not make Mistakes about Character. That is the worst and yet easiest error. Better be cheated in the price than in the quality of goods. In dealing with men, more than with other things, it is necessary to look within. To know men is different from knowing things. It is profound philosophy to sound the depths of feeling and distinguish traits of character. Men must be studied as deeply as books.”

Knows Men Looks Book Different Philosophy Character Feelings Sound Mistake Quality Knowing Worst Errors Profound Depth Making Mistakes Goods Traits Know Me Cheated Knowing Things

Book:The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Source: The Art of Worldly Wisdom

“When a man's knowledge is deep, he speaks well of an enemy. Instead of seeking revenge, he extends unexpected generosity. He turns insult into humor, ... and astonishes his adversary who finds no reason not to trust him.”

Men Wells Reason Turns Speak Enemy Seeking Revenge Generosity Insult Unexpected No Reason Adversaries Seeking Revenge

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“All men are idolators, some of fame, others of self-interest, most of pleasure.”

Men Self Interest Pleasure Fame Self Interest

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“Folly consists not in committing Folly, but in being incapable of concealing it. All men make mistakes, but the wise conceal the blunders they have made, while fools make them public. Reputation depends more on what is hidden than on what is seen. If you can’t be good, be careful.”

Ifs Men Made Mistake Wise Fool Depends Careful Be Good Reputation Folly Making Mistakes Be Careful Incapable Blunders Concealing

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“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.”

Ifs Knows Men Doe Desire Opportunity Ability Doubt Wise Talent Bottom Disappointed Accurate Honored Veneration

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“Maturity is the slowness in which a man believes.”

Men Believe Maturity Slowness

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“Know the great men of your age.”

Knows Men Age Motivation Inspiring Great Men

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“We have more days to live through than pleasures. Be slow in enjoyment, quick at work, for men see work ended with pleasure, pleasure ended with regret.”

Men Pleasure Regret Enjoyment

Book:The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Source: The Art of Worldly Wisdom

“Wise men appreciate all men, for they see the good in each and know how hard it is to make anything good.”

Knows Men Hard Know How Wise Goodness Respect Appreciate

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“A prudent man will think more important what fate has conceded to him, than what it has denied.”

Thinking Men Important Fate Denied Prudent Conceded

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“Man is born a barbarian, and only raises himself above the beast by culture.”

Men Culture Born Raises Beast Barbarians

Author:Baltasar Gracian

“It is profound philosophy to sound the depths of feeling and distinguish traits of character. Men must be studied as deeply as books.”

Men Book Philosophy Character Feelings Understanding Sound Profound Depth Traits Understanding Others

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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