The Wisdom of Gracian V Flashcards
Reconsider things.
Taking a second look at things, provides security, especially when the solution isn’t obvious.
If someone asks for something quickly, delay granting it, which is a trick to deflect attention elsewhere.
Better mad with the crowd than sane all alone.
For if everyone is mad, you’ll be different to none, and if good sense stands alone, it will be taken as madness.
The greatest form of knowledge is, on occasion, not to know, or affect not to know.
Or…better sane with the majority than mad all alone. For some want to be unique in their fantastical illusions.
A person born in the right century.
Truly outstanding people depend on their times. Not all were born at the time they deserved, and many, though they were, didn’t manage to take advantage of it.
But wisdom has the advantage of being eternal, and if this is not its century, many others will be.
Have double of life’s necessities.
Don’t depend on just one person, or limit yourself to a single resource however excellent.
Everything should be doubled, and especially the sources of advantage, favour and pleasure.
Just as Nature doubled the most exposed and important parts of the body, so human skill should double those things on which we depend.
The art of leaving things alone.
Especially when the seas of public or personal life are stormiest.
It makes good sense to retire and wait things out in a good harbour.
Remedies often make troubles worse. Let nature or morality take its course.
Simply sitting back can be a way of calming the whirlwinds of the mob.
A spring’s water is easily muddied; you will never make it clear by trying to, only by leaving it well alone.
Know your unlucky days for they exist.
After a few moves you should recognise bad luck and then withdraw.
To work out well, everything depends on the right time.
It’s as though everything has already been done.
One obstacle shouldn’t be thought of as a bad day, or a good one given the reverse, as the former might just be a setback, and the latter, luck. Be judicious and decide if it is…or isn’t.
Don’t support the worst side out of stubbornness, simply because your opponent has already chosen the better one.
The battle will be lost before it’s begun, and you’ll inevitably have to surrender before it’s begun, scorned.
The only way to stop your opponents supporting what’s best, is to support it yourself.
They may then fall into the trap of stopping supporting what’s best to spite you, you therefore win anyway.
Go in supporting another person’s interest, so as to come out achieving your own.
The perceived benefit is just the bait to catch another’s will, that in turn furthers your own aims.
They’ll think instead that you are furthering their aims, but this will be no more than a means of furthering your own.
It’s best to conceal your true intentions, so that they won’t focus on the difficulties of saying yes, instead of an easy no, especially if they are known to have an in-built aversion to saying yes.
Don’t expose your sore finger.
…or everything will knock against it.
Malice always attacks where our weaknesses hurt most.
Never reveal your, or your family’s troubles, pretend not to notice if and when Malice attacks.
Never reveal what causes you pain or pleasure, so that the former may quickly end, and the latter long continue.
Don’t be inaccessible.
Be open to listening to good advice.
Someone who refuses to listen, is an incurable fool.
The most self-sufficient person must leave a door open to friendship, from where all help will come.
Have in caution’s innermost room a confidant, a faithful mirror, whose correction you value when disillusionment is necessary.
Know how to deflect trouble on to someone else.
Have someone else who can be criticised for mistakes. Having others to hand who can be chastised by gossip mongers is a sign of superior skill.
Have a fall guy therefore, someone who, at the expense of their own ambition, can be a target for your misfortunes.
Think ahead.
Today for tomorrow, and even for many days after that.
For the far-sighted, nothing is unexpected; there are no tight spots for those who are prepared.
The pillow is a silent Sibyl and sleeping on things is better than lying awake under their weight.
The whole of life should be a process of deliberation to choose the right course.
