Baltasar Gracián quotes

Baltasar Gracián was a Spanish Jesuit, philosopher, and writer renowned for his works on ethics and human behavior. His most famous book, "The Art of Worldly Wisdom," became a cornerstone of European intellectual thought. He is considered one of the most influential moralists of the Baroque era. Here are 123 of his quotes:

A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends. (Baltasar Gracián)

Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.

Baltasar Gracián

Silence is the sanctuary of prudence.

Baltasar Gracián

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.

Baltasar Gracián

Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit.

Baltasar Gracián

Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil.

Baltasar Gracián

True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island... to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.

Baltasar Gracián

Never do anything when you are in a temper, for you will do everything wrong.

Baltasar Gracián

Politeness and a sense of honor have this advantage: we bestow them on others without losing a thing.

Baltasar Gracián

To overvalue something is a form of lying.

Baltasar Gracián

Knowing how to keep a friend is more important than gaining a new one. (Baltasar Gracián)

Imagination travels faster than sight. Deceit comes in through the ears, but usually leaves through the eyes.

Baltasar Gracián

It is better to sleep on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterwards.

Baltasar Gracián

Never open the door to a lesser evil, for other and greater ones invariably slink in after it.

Baltasar Gracián

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

Baltasar Gracián

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.

Baltasar Gracián

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.

Baltasar Gracián

Let the first impulse pass, wait for the second.

Baltasar Gracián

True knowledge lies in knowing how to live.

Baltasar Gracián

When desire dies, fear is born.

Baltasar Gracián

We often have to put up with most from those on whom we most depend. (Baltasar Gracián)

The envious die not once, but as oft as the envied win applause.

Baltasar Gracián

Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.

Baltasar Gracián

Work is the price which is paid for reputation.

Baltasar Gracián

Many pleasant things are better when they belong to someone else. ... When things belong to others, we enjoy them twice as much, without the risk of losing them, and with the pleasure of novelty.

Baltasar Gracián

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Baltasar Gracián

Occupation: Spanish Philosopher
Born: January 8, 1604
Died: December 6, 1658
Quotes count: 123
Wikipedia: Baltasar Gracián

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