Baltasar Gracián quote

“It is a great art to govern Fortune, either awaiting her (for she sometimes takes her time) or taking advantage of her (for she sometimes turns good), although you will never completely understand her inconsistent behavior. If she has favored you, proceed with boldness...” –Baltasar Gracián, The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Baltasar Gracián quote

“We have little to live and much to know, and you cannot live if you do not know.” -Baltasar Gracián, The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Baltasar Gracián quote

“Associate with those you can learn from. Let friendly relations be a school of erudition, and conversation, refined teaching. Make your friends your teachers and blend the usefulness of learning with the pleasure of conversation.” -Baltasar Gracián, The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Baltasar Gracián quote

"One of life’s great lessons lies in knowing how to refuse, and it is even more important to refuse yourself, both to business and to others. There are certain inessential activities—moths of precious time—and it is worse to busy yourself with the trivial than to do nothing. To be prudent, it isn’t enough not to meddle in other people’s business: you must also keep them from meddling in yours. Don’t belong so much to others that you stop belonging to yourself." -Baltasar Gracián, The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Baltasar Gracián quote

“Reach perfection. No one is born that way. Perfect yourself daily, both personally and professionally, until you become a consummate being, rounding off your gifts and reaching eminence. Signs of the perfect person: elevated taste, a pure intelligence, a clear will, ripeness of judgment. Some people are never complete and are always lacking something. Others take a long time to form themselves. The consummate person—wise in speech, prudent in deeds—is admitted to, and even desired by, the singular society of the discreet.”-Baltasar Gracián, The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Baltasar Gracián quote

“Knowledge and courage take turns at greatness. Because they are immortal, they can make you so. You are as much as you know, and if you are wise you can do anything. The uninformed person is a dark world unto himself. Judgment and strength: eyes and hands. Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit.”-Baltasar Gracián, The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Baltasar Gracián quote

“Character and intelligence. The poles your talent spins on, displaying your gifts. One without the other brings only half of success. It isn’t enough to be intelligent; you must also have the right character. The fool fails by behaving without regard to his condition, position, origin, or friendships.”-Baltasar Gracián, The Art of Worldly Wisdom