Quotes from Baltasar Gracian

Fortunate people often have very favorable beginnings and very tragic endings. What matters isn't being applauded when you arrive - for that is common - but being missed when you leave.

Truth is for the minority.

Don't lie, but don't tell the whole truth.

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

The truth is generally seen, rarely heard.

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

Truth always lags last limping along on the arm of Time.

The truths that matter most to us come always half spoken.

Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.

It requires as much caution to tell the truth as to conceal it.

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

Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.

You have to appear wiser and more prudent than is required by the people you are dealing with if you want to give a high opinion of yourself.

If you are wise, live as you can; if you cannot, live as you would.

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

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

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

Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil. Tis the sole remedy against misfortune, the very ventilation of the soul.

Friends are a second existence.

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

Sometimes it proves the highest understanding not to understand.

Respect yourself is you would have others respect you.

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

The greatest wisdom often consists in ignorance.