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
loss missing risk
Never risk your reputation on a single shot, for if you miss the loss is irreparable.
giving risk delight
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.
risk novelty losing
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.
time truth lag
Truth always lags behind, limping along on the arm of Time.
writing letters chance
Chance has something to say in everything, even how to write a good letter
motivation men age
Know the great men of your age.
thinking fool
The greatest fool is he who thinks he is not one and all others are.
eye deception ears
Deceit comes in through the ears, but usually leaves through the eyes.
wise enemy fool
The wise person finds enemies more useful than the fool does friends .
usa haze
La galantería y la honra tienen esta ventaja, que se quedan: aquélla en quien la usa, ésta en quien la haze.
patience no-patience retiring
Let him that hath no power of patience retire within himself, though even there he will have to put up with himself.
strong heart trust-your-heart
Trust your heart, especially when it is a strong one.
future deeds tomorrow
It is a great deed to leave nothing for tomorrow.
nature art needs
Nature often lets us down when we most need her; let us turn to art.