The Wisdom of Gracian VIII Flashcards
Know how to appear the fool.
The wisest sometimes play this card, and there are times when the greatest knowledge consists in appearing to lack knowledge.
You mustn’t be ignorant, just feign ignorance.
The person who feigns stupidity isn’t a fool, just the person who suffers from it.
The only way to be well loved, is to put on the skin of the most stupid of animals.
Take a joke, but don’t make someone the butt of one.
The first is a form of politeness, the second a form of audacity.
Whoever gets annoyed at some fun appears even more like a beast than they actually are.
An excellent joke is enjoyable; to know how to take one is a mark of real character.
Nothing demands greater care and skill: before making a joke, know how far someone can take one.
Know how far to take a joke, and the safest thing is not to start one.
Don’t be completely dove-like.
Let the craftiness of the snake alternate with the simplicity of the dove.
There’s nothing easier than deceiving a good person, the person who never lies is more ready to believe, and one who never deceives is more trusting.
Let shrewdness be as versed in suspicion as astuteness is in intrigue, and don’t try to be so good that you create opportunities for someone else to be bad.
Be a combination of the dove and the serpent; not a monster, but a prodigy.
Don’t offer an apology to someone who hasn’t asked for one.
And even if one is asked for, an over-the-top apology is like an admission of guilt.
To apologise before it’s necessary is to accuse yourself, and to be bled when healthy is to attract ill health and ill will.
An excuse in advance awakens suspicion.
Neither should a sensible person reveal their awareness of someone else’s suspicions - this is to go looking for offence.
They should try instead to refute these with the honesty of their actions.
Know how to do good, in small amounts and often.
An obligation should never be greater than someone’s ability to fulfil it.
Whoever gives a great deal is not giving but selling.
Gratitude should never be placed in an impossible position; if it is, relations will be broken off.
The subtle act of giving; it should cost little, but be greatly desired, and hence greatly appreciated.
Never break off relations.
Because reputation is always damaged by this.
Anyone makes a good enemy, not so a friend; few can do good, but almost everyone harm.
Hidden enemies, who wait for such opportunities, use a declared enemy to stoke the fires for them.
Former friends make the worst enemies; they lay the blame for their misplaced esteem on your failings.
If a break is necessary, let it be forgivable, done with a cooling of favour, not a violent rage.
You will never belong entirely to someone else nor they to you.
Neither ties of blood, nor friendship, nor the most pressing obligation are sufficient for this, for there’s a big difference between opening your heart and surrendering your will.
Even the greatest intimacy has its limits, and the laws of courtesy are not offended by this.
You conceal things from some people that you reveal to others, and vice versa, and by this distinguishing between people, you end up revealing everything and withholding everything.
Know how to forget
This is more a matter of luck than skill
The things which should most be forgotten are the ones most remembered
Memory is meticulous with things that cause sorrow, and carefree with those that cause pleasure
Sometimes the remedy for misfortune consists in forgetting it - but we forget the remedy.
The contented are an exception here, for in their state of innocence they enjoy their simple happiness
Silken words and a mild nature.
Arrows pierce the body but harsh words the soul.
A pill can make your breath smell sweet, and to know how to sell air is one of life’s subtlest skills.
Most things are bought with words and they’re enough to achieve the impossible.
So your mouth should always be full of sugar to sweeten your words so that they taste good even to your enemies.
Know how to renew your character using nature and art.
They say that our nature changes every seven years, let this improve and enhance your taste.
Observe this natural process to help it along, and expect others to improve as well.
Thus many change their behaviour with status or position, and sometimes this is not noticed until the full extent of such a change is apparent.
At twenty, a person is a peacock; at thirty, a lion; at forty, a camel; at fifty, a snake; at sixty, a dog; at seventy, a monkey; and at eighty, nothing.
Show yourself off
It allows your qualities to shine.
Each of these has its moment: seize it, for none can triumph every day.
There are some splendid individuals in whom the least accomplishment shines greatly and the greatest dazzles, provoking wonder.
When display is joined by eminence, it’s held to be prodigious.
Display should always be restrained so as not to end up being vulgar, and among the wise, excess has always been somewhat disparaged.
It is a great skill not to reveal perfection in its entirety straight off, but rather gradually to display it.
Let one quality be a guarantee of a greater one, and applause for the first, an expectation of those to follow.
Don’t meddle, and you won’t be spurned.
Respect yourself if you want to be respected
Be sparing rather than lavish with your presence.
Arrive when wanted, and you’ll be well received; never come unless called, nor go unless sent.
Someone who gets involved on their own initiative receives all the Ill-will if they fail, and none of the thanks if they succeed.
A meddler is the target of scorn, and since they brazenly interfere, they are discarded ignominiously.
