Peter Gan

“There is no defect that someone does not value, and you need not lower your opinion because a thing doesn’t please some people:”
― Baltasar Gracián, The Art of Worldly Wisdom: A Pocket Oracle

“Believe your heart, especially when it's already tried and tested. Never contradict it, for it can usually foresee what matters most. It is your private oracle.”
― Baltasar Gracián, The Art of Worldly Wisdom: A Pocket Oracle

“In heaven, everything is good; in hell, everything bad. In the world, since it lies between the two, you find both. We are placed between two extremes, and so participate in both. Good and bad luck alternate; not all is happy, nor all hostile. This world is a zero: on its own, it's worth nothing; joined to heaven, a great deal. Indifference to its variety constitutes good sense - the wise are never surprised. Our life is arranged like a play, everything will be sorted out in the end. Take care, then, to end it well.”
― Baltasar Gracián, How to Use Your Enemies

“41 Never exaggerate. It isn’t wise to use superlatives. They offend the truth and cast doubt on your judgment. By exaggerating, you squander your praise and reveal a lack of knowledge and taste. Praise awakens curiosity, which begets desire, and later, when the goods seem overpriced, as often happens, expectation feels cheated and avenges itself by running down the praised and the praiser. The prudent show restraint, and would rather fall short than long. True eminences are rare, so temper your esteem. To overvalue something is a form of lying. It can ruin your reputation for good taste, and—even worse—for wisdom.”
― Baltasar Gracián, The Art of Worldly Wisdom: A Pocket Oracle