Baltasar Gracian: Underrated philosopher of power and success.

More gravitas than Robert Greene, more relevant than Machiavelli.

Loved by Nietzsche & Schopenhauer, imitated by Rochefoucauld.

“The Art of Worldly Wisdom” - 300 aphorisms that stand the test of time ✍️✍️ ⬇️⬇️

Gracian joined the Jesuits at 18 and stayed in the Church for the rest of his life. He was dutiful in his roles as chaplain, confessor, and administrator, but had no special talent in them.

His calling? Scientist of success and character.

He sought out the scholarly, the cultured and the powerful in to boil their knowledge into a valuable essence.

Not an obvious job description in 17th century Spain, and the Church tried to stop him publishing these ‘worldly’ and ‘political’ works.

The Spanish empire under Philip IV was corrupt and in decline. The Spanish Inquisition was in full swing. To survive and thrive, Gracian had to play a long game and be "seen" to be doing God’s work.

Machiavelli is about states and great leaders

Gracian is about individuals and how to get ahead while being true to ourselves, playing the long game

Aphorism no. 55, 'Know how to wait':

“Stroll through the open spaces of time to the center of opportunity. Wise hesitation ripens success and brings secrets to maturity. The crutch of Time can do more than the steely club of Hercules…Fortune gives larger rewards to those who wait.”

The famous and the brilliant are susceptible to falls. Better to be ambitious but appear modest:

“Be excessive in your perfection but moderate about showing it. The brighter the torch, the more it consumes itself and the less it lasts. To win true esteem, make yourself scarce.”

Aphorism 57, 'Thoughtful people are safer':

“Only perfection is noticed, and only success endures…So with metals: the most precious of them takes longest to be refined, and weighs most.”

Aphorism 65:

“You can judge the height of someone’s talent by what he aspires to. Only a great thing can satisfy a great talent.”

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