Exaggerate Quote by Baltasar Gracián
““41 Never exaggerate. It isn’t wise to use superlatives. They offend the truth and cast doubt on your judgment. By exaggerating, you squander your praise and reveal a lack of knowledge and taste. Praise awakens curiosity, which begets desire, and later, when the goods seem overpriced, as often happens, expectation feels cheated and avenges itself by running down the praised and the praiser. The prudent show restraint, and would rather fall short than long. True eminences are rare, so temper your esteem. To overvalue something is a form of lying. It can ruin your reputation for good taste, and—even worse—for wisdom.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Worldly Wisdom by Baltasar Gracián, 1647
Excessive praise and exaggeration erode credibility and lead to disappointment; modesty preserves trust and wisdom.
In simple terms: Overpraise damages trust; modesty protects reputation.
Key Takeaway
Practice restraint in praise.
Themes
honesty
reputation
humility
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- leadership
- writing
- marketing
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
psychology
communication
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you overpraised something and faced backlash?
- How can you balance encouragement with realism?
A Different Perspective
Exaggeration can sometimes be used strategically to motivate.
