Top 263 Quotes & Sayings by Baltasar Gracian - Page 5

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

There must be something good in a thing that pleases so many; even if it cannot be explained, it is certainly enjoyed.

To be at ease is better than to be at business.

Some would be sages if they did not believe they were so already.

Be known for pleasing others, especially if you govern them. Ruling other has one advantage: you can do more good than anyone else.

La galantería y la honra tienen esta ventaja, que se quedan: aquélla en quien la usa, ésta en quien la haze.

There is no wilderness like a life without friends.

Cunning grows in deceit at seeing itself discovered, and tries to deceive with truth itselft.

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

A person of your century: Great persons are of their time. Not all were born into a period worthy of them, and many so born failed to benefit by it. Some merited a better century, for all that is good does not always triumph. Fashions have their periods and even the greatest virtues, their styles. But the philosopher, being ageless, has one advantage: Should this not prove the right century, many to follow will.

The heaven of the envied is hell for the envious. [...because they focus on what they don't have rather than being grateful for what they have, which is always better than some others.]

It is a novel kind of supremacy, the best that life can offer, to have as servants by skill those who by nature are our masters.

Not he that adorns but he that adores makes a divinity.

Tis much to gain universal admiration; more, universal love.

One who was abhorred by all in prosperity is adored by all in adversity.

There are certain inessential activities-moths of precious time-and it is worse to busy yourself with the trivial than to do nothing.

The sage has one advantage: he is immortal. If this is not his century, many others will be.

Know the great men of your age.

Fools rush in through the door; for folly is always bold.

Wisdom and courage make mutual contributions to greatness.

Peacemakers not only live, they rule life.

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

Few are the friends of a mans self, most those of his circumstances.