Exaggerate Quote by Baltasar Gracián
““Never exaggerate. It is a matter of great importance to forego superlatives, in part to avoid offending the truth, and in part to avoid cheapening your judgment. Exaggeration wastes distinction and testifies to the paucity of your understanding and taste. Praise excites anticipation and stimulates desire. Afterwards when value does not measure up to price, disappointment turns against the fraud and takes revenge by cheapening both the appraised and the appraise. For this reason let the prudent go slowly, and err in understatement rather than overstatement. The extraordinary of every kind is always rare, wherefore temper your estimate.””
About This Quote
Source Treat: Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia, 1640
Exaggeration inflates claims, distorts truth, and leads to disappointment; modesty preserves credibility and judgment.
In simple terms: Overstating hurts trust and understanding.
Key Takeaway
Prefer understatement to avoid false expectations.
Themes
honesty
moderation
judgment
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- personal relationships
- public speaking
- writing
- teaching
Key Concepts
pragmatism
communication
perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance honesty with enthusiasm?
- When is exaggeration acceptable?
A Different Perspective
Overly cautious language may underplay genuine achievements.
