Baltasar Gracian
Baltasar Gracian
Baltasar Gracián y Morales, SJ, formerly Anglicized as Baltazar Gracian, was a Spanish Jesuit and baroque prose writer and philosopher. He was born in Belmonte, near Calatayud. His writings were lauded by Schopenhauer and Nietzsche...
NationalitySpanish
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth8 January 1601
CountrySpain
wise understanding sometimes
Sometimes it proves the highest understanding not to understand.
reputation worldly-wisdom paid
Work is the price which is paid for reputation.
appearance jackets seems
Things do not pass for what they are, but for what they seem. Most things are judged by their jackets.
regret men pleasure
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.
inspirational motivational suicide
Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.
truth men never-forget
A man of honour should never forget what he is because he sees what others are.
long tire shoulders
Fortune soon tires of carrying anyone long on her shoulders.
issues excellence mediocrity
Attain and maintain a reputation, for it is the usufruct of fame. A stiff climb, for it is the issue of excellence, as rare as mediocrity is common.
revenge dust oblivion
There is no revenge like oblivion, for it is the entombment of the unworthy in the dust of their own nothingness.
truth-is heard
The truth is generally seen, rarely heard.
friendship enemy provoked
Friends provoked become the bitterest of enemies.
friends self circumstances
Few are the friends of a mans self, most those of his circumstances.
needs human-condition ability
There is no need to show your ability before everyone.
favors being-a-woman young
When you find Fortune favorable, stride boldly forward, for she favors the bold, and being a woman, the young.