Baltasar Gracian

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.

When a man's knowledge is deep, he speaks well of an enemy. Instead of seeking revenge, he extends unexpected generosity. He turns insult into humor, ... and astonishes his adversary who finds no reason not to trust him.

Self knowledge is the beginning of self improvement.

Do not make Mistakes about Character. That is the worst and yet easiest error. Better be cheated in the price than in the quality of goods. In dealing with men, more than with other things, it is necessary to look within. To know men is different from knowing things. It is profound philosophy to sound the depths of feeling and distinguish traits of character. Men must be studied as deeply as books.

Don't express your ideas too clearly. Most people think little of what they understand, and venerate what they do not.

Even monarchs have need of authors, and fear their pens more than ugly women the painter's pencil.

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.

The wise are always impatient, for he that increases knowledge increases impatience of folly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hope is a great falsifier of truth.

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

Nothing is good for him for whom nothing is bad.

Friends provoked become the bitterest of enemies.

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

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

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

Everything foreign is respected, partly because it comes from afar, partly because it is ready made and perfect.

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

Exaggeration is a branch of lying.

If there is nothing left to desire, there is everything to fear, an unhappy state of happiness.

Man is born a barbarian, and only raises himself above the beast by culture.

If to talk to oneself when alone is folly, it must be doubly unwise to listen to oneself in the presence of others.

Maturity of mind is best shown in slow belief.

Always act as if you were seen.

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