Quotes from Baltasar Gracian

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

Some are satisfied to stand politely before the portals of Fortune and to await her bidding; better those who push forward, who employ their enterprise, who on the wings of their worth and valor seek to embrace luck, and to effectively gain her favor.

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, nothing at all.

'No' and 'Yes' are words quickly said, but they need a great amount of thought before you utter them.

The heaven of the envied is hell for the envious.

Nothing arouses ambition so much as the trumpet clang of another's fame.

Superiority is always detested.

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

Words are feminine; deeds are masculine.

Begin with another's to end with your own.

Self-reflection is the school of wisdom.

The wise have a solid sense of silence and the ability to keep a storehouse of secrets. Their capacity and character are respected.

Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit.

Know how to ask. There is nothing more difficult for some people, nor for others, easier.

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

Some would be sages if they did not believe they were so already.

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

Wisdom and courage make mutual contributions to greatness.

Leave your luck while still winning.

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

Good things, when short, are twice as good.

We have eyelids but not earlids, for the ears are the portals of learning, and Nature wanted to keep them wide open.

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

A prudent man will think more important what fate has conceded to him, than what it has denied.