Baltasar Gracian

The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.

— Baltasar Gracian

At twenty a man is a peacock, at thirty a lion, at forty a camel, at fifty a serpent, at sixty a dog, at seventy an ape, at eighty a nothing at all.

— Baltasar Gracian

Never do anything when you are in a temper, for you will do everything wrong.

— Baltasar Gracian

A beautiful woman should break her mirror early.

— Baltasar Gracian

Good things, when short, are twice as good.

— Baltasar Gracian

It is better to have too much courtesy than too little, provided you are not equally courteous to all, for that would be injustice.

— Baltasar Gracian

Many have had their greatness made for them by their enemies.

— Baltasar Gracian

When desire dies, fear is born.

— Baltasar Gracian

A wise man learns more from his enemies than a fool from his friends.

— Baltasar Gracian

The envious die not once, but as oft as the envied win applause.

— Baltasar Gracian

Never open the door to a lesser evil, for other ones invariably slink in after it.

— Baltasar Gracian

There is none who cannot teach somebody something, and there is none so excellent but he is excelled.

— Baltasar Gracian

Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose.

— Baltasar Gracian

Never have a companion that casts you in the shade.

— Baltasar Gracian

Have friends. 'Tis a second existence.

— Baltasar Gracian

Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil.

— Baltasar Gracian

He that has satisfied his thirst turns his back on the well.

— Baltasar Gracian

Hope has a good memory, gratitude a bad one.

— Baltasar Gracian

Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.

— Baltasar Gracian

To equal a predecessor, one must have twice they worth.

— Baltasar Gracian

Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.

— Baltasar Gracian

True knowledge lies in knowing how to live.

— Baltasar Gracian

To be at ease is better than to be at business. Nothing really belongs to us but time, which even he has who has nothing else.

— Baltasar Gracian

Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose.

— Baltasar Gracian

Let the first impulse pass, wait for the second.

— Baltasar Gracian

It is a great piece of skill to know how to guide your luck even while waiting for it.

— Baltasar Gracian

Luck can be assisted. It is not all chance with the wise.

— Baltasar Gracian

One must pass through the circumference of time before arriving at the center of opportunity.

— Baltasar Gracian

Begin with another's to end with your own.

— Baltasar Gracian

The wise does at once what the fool does at last.

— Baltasar Gracian

Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.

— Baltasar Gracian

To oblige persons often costs little and helps much.

— Baltasar Gracian

Little said is soon amended. There is always time to add a word, never to withdraw one.

— Baltasar Gracian

There is always time to add a word, never to withdraw one.

— Baltasar Gracian