Fortune Quote by Baltasar Gracián
““Say farewell to luck when winning. It is the way of the gamblers of reputation. Quite as important as a gallant advance is a well-planned retreat. Lock up your winnings when they are enough, or when great. Continuous luck is always suspect; more secure is that which changes. Though half bitter and half sweet, it is more satisfying to the taste. The more luck pyramids, the greater the danger of slip and collapse. For luck always compensates her intensity by her brevity. Fortune wearies of carrying anyone long upon her shoulders.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Worldly Wisdom by Baltasar Gracián, 1647
Luck is fleeting; prudent people secure gains early and avoid overreliance on chance, recognizing that fortunes are brief and can collapse.
In simple terms: Don't depend on luck; protect what you earn.
Key Takeaway
Guard gains, avoid overconfidence.
Themes
prudence
risk
fortune
moderation
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- investment
- career planning
- gambling
- entrepreneurship
- personal finance
Key Concepts
probability
transience
self‑control
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance risk and reward?
- When should you cash out?
A Different Perspective
Luck can be unpredictable; even careful planning can't eliminate all risk.
