Baltasar Gracian

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

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

The things we remember best are those better forgotten.

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

Evil report carries further than any applause.

To oblige persons often costs little and helps much.

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

When desire dies, fear is born.

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

Begin with another's to end with your own.

Let the first impulse pass, wait for the second.

To be at ease is better than to be at business. Nothing really belongs to us but time, which even he has who has nothing else.

True knowledge lies in knowing how to live.

Have friends. 'Tis a second existence.

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

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

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.

It is good to vary in order that you may frustrate the curious, especially those who envy you.

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