Quotessence
Home / Authors / Baltasar Gracian
Baltasar Gracian

Baltasar Gracian Quotes

Writer

Filter quotes by topic

AllIfsMenWiseWorldly WisdomShouldKnowsAdviceWisdomDoeFriendshipPeopleFoolLittlesLyingNeedsMayAdvantageArtEnemyFortune

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
Create image

“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.”

NeedsShouldMayDoeHelpingFeelingsFallPerfectDoorsAdviceProveHighestShould HaveDareIntellectAssRuinsFriendlyGatesEmbarrassedSovereigntyAdviseInaccessibleSurpassingIncorrigibleUpbraid
Book:The Art of Worldly Wisdom
Create image

“A person of your century: Great persons are of their time. Not all were born into a period worthy of them, and many so born failed to benefit by it. Some merited a better century, for all that is good does not always triumph. Fashions have their periods and even the greatest virtues, their styles. But the philosopher, being ageless, has one advantage: Should this not prove the right century, many to follow will.”

ShouldPersonsDoeBornVirtueCenturyFashionStylePeriodsProveBenefitsAdvantagePhilosopherWorthyTriumphGreat PersonAgeless
Author:Baltasar Gracian
Create image

“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
Create image