Baltasar Gracian Quotes - Page 10

Knowledge without courage is sterile.

Work is the price which is paid for reputation.

Maturity is the slowness in which a man believes.

Many people who pretend to be very busy have the least to do.

The worthless usually live long.

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.

Wisdom and courage make mutual contributions to greatness.

Censure is like the lightning which strikes the highest mountains.

Never risk your reputation on a single shot, for if you miss the loss is irreparable.

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

It takes more to make one sage today than it did to make the seven of Greece. And you need more resources to deal with a single person these days than with an entire nation in times past.

It is good to vary in order that you may frustrate the curious, especially those who envy you.

A brand new mediocrity is thought more of than accustomed excellence.

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

Chance has something to say, even how to write a good letter.

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

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

Even knowledge has to be in the fashion, and where it is not, it is wise to affect ignorance.

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.

Lies always come first, dragging fools along by their irreparable vulgarity. Truth always lags last, limping along on the arm of time.

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

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

Peacemakers not only live, they rule life.

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

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