Quotes by Baltasar Gracian

About Baltasar Gracian:

Baltasar Gracián y Morales was a Spanish Jesuit and baroque prose writer and philosopher. He was born in Belmonte, near Calatayud (Aragon). His writings were lauded by Nietzsche and Schopenhauer.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.

Baltasar Gracian

A single lie destroys a whole reputation of integrity.

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

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

Baltasar Gracian

It is better to sleep on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterwards.

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

Let the first impulse pass, wait for the second.

Baltasar Gracian

We often have to put up with most from those on whom we most depend.

Baltasar Gracian

A man of honour should never forget what he is because he sees what others are.

Baltasar Gracian

Attempt easy tasks as if they were difficult, and difficult as if they were easy; in the one case that confidence may not fall asleep, in the other that it may not be dismayed.

Baltasar Gracian

Things do not pass for what they are, but for what they seem. Most things are judged by their jackets.

Baltasar Gracian

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

Baltasar Gracian

Don't take the wrong side of an argument just because your opponent has taken the right side.

Baltasar Gracian

I strive to be brief, and I become obscure.

Baltasar Gracian

Fortune pays you sometimes for the intensity of her favors by the shortness of their duration. She soon tires of carrying any one long on her shoulders.

Baltasar Gracian

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

Baltasar Gracian

Have friends. 'Tis a second existence.

Baltasar Gracian

Be content to act, and leave the talking to others.

Baltasar Gracian

Those who insist on the dignity of their office show they have not deserved it.

Baltasar Gracian

Begin with another's to end with your own.

Baltasar Gracian

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

Baltasar Gracian

Author Bio

  • NameBaltasar Gracian
  • DescriptionSpanish Jesuit and baroque prose writer and philosopher
  • AliasesBalthasar Gracian
  • BornJanuary 8, 1601
  • DiedDecember 6, 1658
  • CountrySpain
  • ProfessionWriter; Philosopher