The remarkable best-seller -- a long-lost, 300-year-old book of wisdom on how to live successfully yet responsibly in a society governed by self-in...
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Sep 19, 2007
Elisa
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"Use human means as if there were no divine ones and use divine means as if there were no human ones."
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(4 people liked it)
Aug 25, 2011
Justarius
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The Art of Worldly Wisdom by Baltasar Gracián is unlike any book you are likely to find on bookshelves today. Self-help books can be helpful, but they are usually focused on what to do after you have encountered certain problems. Business books are often a collection of case studies or “war stories.” The Art of Worldly Wisdom teaches the same sort of lessons (and more) in a much broader context. It is a manual on how to be successful at anything in life. Considering that it is still amazing rele
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(1 person liked it)
Dec 17, 2009
Gregorycox
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Excellent series of lessons that people from all walk's of life can enjoy and learn from.
Very insightful and thought provoking. Very easy read.
Very insightful and thought provoking. Very easy read.
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(3 people liked it)
Oct 05, 2007
I refer back to this book often. It's one that you never want to part with once you own it. Timeless advice, timeless wisdom.
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Dec 16, 2009
David
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The art of improving yourself. In short, "be a saint".
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 12, 2012
Lady Jane
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I could write endlessly about what I like about it and what I disagree with, but instead I will simply post my favorite passages here, with just a little bit of commentary! Charming book, highly recommended.
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Passage 12
"Nature and art: The material and the workmanship. There is no beauty unaided, no excellence that does not sink to the barbarous, unless saved by art: It redeems the bad and perfects the good. Because nature c More...
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Passage 12
"Nature and art: The material and the workmanship. There is no beauty unaided, no excellence that does not sink to the barbarous, unless saved by art: It redeems the bad and perfects the good. Because nature c More...
Jan 13, 2012
Naxa
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I never know exactly how to review an older philosophy book like this. Should I treat it as I would a book of contemporary philosophy and argue with it? Should I do like most people here and just give it large amounts of praise, because its old and had a somewhat important place in history? I cant bring myself to overly care about the books content enough to really fully argue against it, but at the same time, I don't think a work deserves praise by virtue of the fact that it helped a historical
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Mar 19, 2009
Melina
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This book can not be over-estimated. I use this book the way others refer to the bible. (I DO also read the Bible, The Qu'ran and other religous books as well) However, the advice in this little book is invaluable. There are days when I am troubled and I will meditate on the problem, run my thumb over the pages and pick a random spot and it never fails to deliver some sage and relevant advice. EVERYONE should have a copy.
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Jan 12, 2009
Kate
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Packed full of beautiful prose, and just as applicable 400 years after it was written. It's one of many I would have loved to see in high school literature classes. Wonderful life instruction, presented from an interesting cultural viewpoint.
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 12, 2012
Steve
rated it:
"Life for Dummies"
The missing manual on how to lead a happy, successful life.
I wish I would have had this book in high school! I think it should be on everyone's essential reading list.
Although these condensed insights and suggestions come down to us from almost 400 years ago, their relevance to our experience today is striking and proves the depth of these maxims. The famous philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer translated this about 200 years ago and called it "a More...
The missing manual on how to lead a happy, successful life.
I wish I would have had this book in high school! I think it should be on everyone's essential reading list.
Although these condensed insights and suggestions come down to us from almost 400 years ago, their relevance to our experience today is striking and proves the depth of these maxims. The famous philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer translated this about 200 years ago and called it "a More...
Aug 08, 2011
Jenifer
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Observations and snippets of wisdom for getting along well in the world. Divided into short, easy to digest, numbered paragraphs, I read pieces of this book over a long period of time (much like you'd read a daily thought book) and enjoyed the ideas and timeless insights. Truly a book for all-time.
Aug 24, 2008
Nick
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This is one of the great books of wisdom, dispensed in brief paragraphs with headings like "better to be intensive than extensive," and "reserve is the seal of talent." Gracian might best be described as an honorable politician; he advocates dealing with the world with rectitude, but keeping a close eye on how the world responds. You need to be ready for it to throw something unfair, unexpected, or unpleasant back at you. It's perhaps comforting to know that the book was w
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(2 people liked it)
Jan 01, 2011
Brian
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"In all things, deceit arrives first, dragging fools behind it in endless vulgarity. Truth is always late, always last to arrive, limping along with Time." A worldly, and principled, guide to honesty, power and wisdom by a 17th century Spanish Jesuit.
Jan 30, 2011
Kim
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Gracian's first maxim is that "Everything is at its peak of perfection. . . . There is more required nowadays to make a single wise person than formerly to make the Seven Sages of ancient Greece, and more is needed nowadays to deal with a single person than was required with a whole people in former times." And he observed that back in 1637. I think it must be even more true today.
Don't expect me to ever finish reading Gracian. I am always dipping into this little book, and I More...
Don't expect me to ever finish reading Gracian. I am always dipping into this little book, and I More...
Dec 31, 2008
Holly
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Picked this book up in Romania. It's the thoughts of a Spanish monk travelling throughout Europe during hostile times giving recommendations about how to live.
Mar 08, 2011
Scott
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I will be "currently reading" this book indefinitely. There are 300 aphorisms-- ten a day, and you can read it once a month. Fail to heed the advice in this book at your own peril. The blurbs on the back cover are from Nietzsche and Schopenhauer! I swear by this book. The most comprehensive and succinct collection of wisdom I have ever encountered. Cannot recommend it enough.
Jul 20, 2008
Jason
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One of my most favorite books in all the world. I read this book periodically (one to three times a year). I'm going to start reading it again today! It is filled with so many gems of truth and knowledge that will benefit you and the world you live in. It is a brief but enjoyable book. Get it, or check it out from the library. A must read!
Mar 21, 2011
Juan Carlos
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Un libro de grandes y refinadas ideas y de muy valiosas enseñanzas. Habla con gran concisión el autor de lo que debe hacerse para lograr la prudencia y la cordura, y de lo que debe evitarse para no caer en la impertinencia y la necedad. Invaluable guía para el proceder, para leer y releer cuantas veces sea necesario.
Feb 01, 2008
Atchisson
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A really neat book. I got it as a gift from "the mystery woman" in Cicago. She and I would have long since forgotten each other were it not for this spectacular gift she gave to me. The brighter cousin of "The Prince".
Jan 24, 2008
Leon
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Currently Situated in Sam's Bathroom. Written in the 1600's, is a Great Book listing about 300 ideals of a worldly person that suprisingly still apply today. Many pearls of wisdom to be gleaned from that book. :)
Dec 20, 2011
Gmm
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Manual de consulta para leer a ratitos y siempre tenerlo en la mesilla de noche.
Feb 07, 2012
Pearce
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I only include this as a place holder for those familiar with the book under this inaccurate title. For my take on Gracian's masterpiece see my review of the book by it's actual title, The Pocket Oracle.
Aug 16, 2010
Paul
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A companion book that follows me everywhere. A gem of wisdom that teaches you how to comport, conduct and engage with the outside world.
Written ages ago but the wisdom within resonates through all ages.
Written ages ago but the wisdom within resonates through all ages.
Jan 13, 2008
Algeria
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300 strategies.... you can choose to read them and if you choose not to..... well then you're seriously missing out!
