Baltasar Gracian

When you find Fortune favorable, stride boldly forward, for she favors the bold, and being a woman, the young.

— Baltasar Gracian

Sometimes it proves the highest understanding not to understand.

— Baltasar Gracian

“clxxxiii Do not hold your Views too firmly. Every fool is fully convinced, and every one fully persuaded is a fool: the…

— Baltasar Gracián

Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose.

— Baltasar Gracian

Even knowledge has to be in the fashion, and where it is not, it is wise to affect ignorance.

— Baltasar Gracian

Wisdom is immortal. She can wait forever, but you cannot.

— Baltasar Gracian

Hope is a great falsifier of truth.

— Baltasar Gracian

It is better to have too much courtesy than too little, provided you are not equally courteous to all, for that would…

— Baltasar Gracian

“Many people spend time studying the properties of animals or herbs; how much more important to study those people, with whom we…

— Baltasar Gracián

Many people who pretend to be very busy have the least to do.

— Baltasar Gracian

It is therefore an excellent device to acquire knowledge from everybody.

— Baltasar Gracian

Things do not pass for what they are, but for what they seem. Most things are judged by their jackets.

— Baltasar Gracian

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

— Baltasar Gracian

“Not all were born into a period worthy of them.”

— Baltasar Gracián

A gilded No is more satisfactory than a dry Yes.

— Baltasar Gracian

The passions are the humors of the mind, and the least excess sickens our judgment. If the disease spreads to the mouth,…

— Baltasar Gracian

Don't express your ideas too clearly. Most people think little of what they understand, and venerate what they do not.

— Baltasar Gracian

For a thing to remain undone nothing more is needed than to think of it done.

— Baltasar Gracian

Man is born a barbarian, and only raises himself above the beast by culture.

— Baltasar Gracian

To equal a predecessor, one must have twice they worth.

— Baltasar Gracian

“The greater your exploits the less you need affect them: content yourself with doing, leave the talking to others.”

— Baltasar Gracián

Keep expectation alive. Keep stirring it up. Let much promise more, and great deeds herald greater.

— Baltasar Gracian

Begin with another's to end with your own.

— Baltasar Gracian

One must pass through the circumference of time before arriving at the center of opportunity.

— Baltasar Gracian

Never lose your self-respect, nor be too familiar with yourself when you are alone. Let your integrity itself be your own standard…

— Baltasar Gracian