Baltasar Gracián Quotes

104 Sourced Quotes

Whereas wisdom favors the probabilities, folly favors only the possibilities.

Baltasar Gracián
Know how to play the card of contempt. It is the most politic kind of revenge. For there are many of whom we should have known nothing if their distinguished opponents had taken no notice of them. There is no revenge like oblivion, for it is the entombment of the unworthy in the dust of their own nothingness.

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

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

Baltasar Gracián
It is only by mature meditation on the possibilities and probabilities of future events — that we can elude the tortuous troubles of the tomorrows.

Baltasar Gracián
The sage never seems to know his own merits, for only by not noticing them can you call others' attention to them.

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

Baltasar Gracián
Know how to use evasion. That is how smart people get out of difficulties.

Baltasar Gracián
We have more days to live through than pleasures. Be slow in enjoyment, quick at work, for men see work ended with pleasure, pleasure ended with regret.

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

Baltasar Gracián
Most do violence to their natural aptitude, and thus attain superiority in nothing.

Baltasar Gracián
Many get the repute of being witty but thereby lose the credit of being sensible. Jest has its little hour, seriousness should have all the rest.

Baltasar Gracián
Display startling novelty-rise afresh like the sun every day. Change too the scene on which you shine, so that you rloss may be felt in the old scenes of your triumph, while the novelty of your powers wins applause in the new.

Baltasar Gracián
The true way is the middle one, halfway between deserving a place and pushing oneself into it.

Baltasar Gracián