Quotes By Baltasar Gracian

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

He that communicates his secret to another makes himself that other's slave.

Never have a companion that casts you in the shade.

Evil report carries further than any applause.

Don't show off every day, or you'll stop surprising people. There must always be some novelty left over. The person who displays a little more of it each day keeps up expectations, and no one ever discovers the limits of his talent.

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

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.

When desire dies, fear is born.

Have friends. 'Tis a second existence.

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

Nature scarcely ever gives us the very best; for that we must have recourse to art.

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

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

A bad manner spoils everything, even reason and justice; a good one supplies everything, gilds a No, sweetens a truth, and adds a touch of beauty to old age itself.

To oblige persons often costs little and helps much.

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

Quit while you're ahead. All the best gamblers do.

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

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

Always leave something to wish for; otherwise you will be miserable from your very happiness.

Work is the price which is paid for reputation.

Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.

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

Let the first impulse pass, wait for the second.

Hope is a great falsifier. Let good judgment keep her in check.

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

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

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

Let him that hath no power of patience retire within himself, though even there he will have to put up with himself.

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