Baltasar Gracian Quotes - Page 2

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.

To find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.

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.

When you counsel someone, you should appear to be reminding him of something he had forgotten, not of the light he was unable to see.

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

Superiority is always detested.

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

He that can live alone resembles the brute beast in nothing, the sage in much, and God in everything.

Do not make mistakes about character. Better be cheated in the price than in the quality of goods.

Mix a little mystery with everything, for mystery arouses veneration.

Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose.

He that has satisfied his thirst turns his back on the well.

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

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.

Be first the master of yourself

Quit while you're ahead. All the best gamblers do.

Never participate in the secrets of those above you; you think you share the fruit, and you share the stones - the confidence of a prince is not a grant, but a tax

Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.

Little said is soon amended. There is always time to add a word, never to withdraw one.

The wise persono would rather see others needing him than thanking him.

If you are wise, live as you can; if you cannot, live as you would.

A beautiful woman should break her mirror early.

Know how to keep anticipation alive: always strive to feed it, by letting the much promise more, and the one achievement be the announcement only of a greater. Put not all your reserves into the first throw; the great trick is to dole out strength, and to dole out mind, in such a fashion as to bring forward increasingly the fulfillment of what was expected of you.

You should aim to be independent of any one vote, of any one fashion, of any one century.

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.