Baltasar Gracian
29 quotations
When desire dies, fear is born.
A wise man learns more from his enemies than a fool from his friends.
The envious die not once, but as oft as the envied win applause.
Never open the door to a lesser evil, for other ones invariably slink in after it.
Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose.
Never have a companion that casts you in the shade.
Have friends. 'Tis a second existence.
Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil.
He that has satisfied his thirst turns his back on the well.
Hope has a good memory, gratitude a bad one.
Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.
To equal a predecessor, one must have twice they worth.
Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.
True knowledge lies in knowing how to live.
Never do anything when you are in a temper, for you will do everything wrong.
Let the first impulse pass, wait for the second.
It is a great piece of skill to know how to guide your luck even while waiting for it.
Luck can be assisted. It is not all chance with the wise.
One must pass through the circumference of time before arriving at the center of opportunity.
Begin with another's to end with your own.
The wise does at once what the fool does at last.
Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.
To oblige persons often costs little and helps much.
Little said is soon amended. There is always time to add a word, never to withdraw one.
The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.