Top 263 Quotes & Sayings by Baltasar Gracian - Page 3

Take care to make things turn out well. Some people scruple more over pointing things in the right direction than over successfully reaching their goals. The disgrace of failure outweighs the diligence they showed. A winner is never asked for explanations.

There is no need to show your ability before everyone.

Courtesy is the politic witchery of great personages.

What is not seen is as if it was not. Even the Right does not receive proper consideration if it does not seem right.

Know how to ask. There is nothing more difficult for some people, nor for others, easier.

Many of the things that bring delight should not be owned. They are more enjoyed if another's, than if yours; the first day they give pleasure to the owner, but in all the rest to the others: what belongs to another rejoices doubly, because it is without the risk of going stale and with the satisfaction of freshness. . . the possession of things not only diminishes their enjoyment, but augments their annoyance, whether shared or not shared.

Never participate in the secrets of those above you; you think you share the fruit, and you share the stones - the confidence of a prince is not a grant, but a tax

It is more offensive to outshine in dignity than in personal attractions.

A single lie destroys a whole reputation for integrity.

Deceit comes in through the ears, but usually leaves through the eyes.

It is a great deed to leave nothing for tomorrow.

It is a great misfortune to be of use to nobody; scarcely less to be of use to everybody.

Nature often lets us down when we most need her; let us turn to art.

The sole advantage of power is that you can do more good.

The greatest fool is he who thinks he is not one and all others are.

There are rules to luck, not everything is chance for the wise; luck can be helped by skill.

The best remedy for disturbances is to let them run their course, for so they quiet down.

The passions are the humors of the mind, and the least excess sickens our judgment. If the disease spreads to the mouth, your reputation will be in danger.

Some are satisfied to stand politely before the portals of Fortune and to await her bidding; better those who push forward, who employ their enterprise, who on the wings of their worth and valor seek to embrace luck, and to effectively gain her favor.

Friends provoked become the bitterest of enemies.

Mediocrity obtains more with application than superiority without it.

The wise person finds enemies more useful than the fool does friends .

Knowledge without wisdom is double folly.

The heaven of the envied is hell for the envious.

It is profound philosophy to sound the depths of feeling and distinguish traits of character. Men must be studied as deeply as books.

The best skill at cards is knowing when to discard.

He who laughs at everything is as big a fool as he who weeps at everything.

When everyone covets something, they are easily annoyed by it.

We live by information, not by sight.

Fortune soon tires of carrying anyone long on her shoulders.

The liar suffers twice: he neither believes nor is believed.

The greatest wisdom often consist in ignorance.

You should aim to be independent of any one vote, of any one fashion, of any one century.

Wise men appreciate all men, for they see the good in each and know how hard it is to make anything good.

It requires as much to tell the truth as to conceal it.

Surfeits of happiness are fatal.

Exaggeration is a prodigality of the judgment which shows the narrowness of one's knowledge or one's taste.

Many pleasant things are better when they belong to someone else. When things belong to others, we enjoy them twice as much, without the risk of losing them, and with the pleasure of novelty.

Harness the imagination, for she is the whole of happiness.

It is impossible to live without brains, either one's own or borrowed.

He who puts off nothing till tomorrow has done a great deal.

Make your friends your teachers and mingle the pleasures of conversation with the advantages of instruction.

You may be obliged to wage war, but not to use poisoned arrows.

Rate the intensive above the extensive. The perfect does not lie in quantity, but in quality.

Maturity of mind is best shown in slow belief.

To oblige people often costs little and helps much.

Character and intelligence are the poles you talent spins on, displaying your gifts.

Many would be wise if they did not think themselves wise.

Beauty and folly are generally companions.

You should avoid making yourself too clear even in your explanations.

They make the greatest show of what they have done, who have done least.

Possession hinders enjoyment. It merely gives you the right to keep things for or from others, and thus you gain more enemies than friends.

Share weight and woe, for misfortune falls with double force on him that stands alone.

Success rarely brings satisfaction.

All men are idolators, some of fame, others of self-interest, most of pleasure.

Politeness and a sense of honor have this advantage: we bestow them on others without losing a thing.

Cultivate those who can teach you.

All victories breed, and that over your superior is foolish or fatal.

To keep is more important than to make friends.

Do not show your wounded finger for everything will knock up against it.