Baltasar Gracian

He that can live alone resembles the brute beast in nothing, the sage in much, and God in everything.

Never do anything when you are in a temper, for you will do everything wrong.

Better mad with the rest of the world than wise alone.

The wise does at once what the fool does at last.

Never have a companion that casts you in the shade.

The envious die not once, but as oft as the envied win applause.

Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.

Even knowledge has to be in the fashion, and where it is not, it is wise to affect ignorance.

Know or listen to those who know.

Luck can be assisted. It is not all chance with the wise.

True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island... to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.

Always leave something to wish for otherwise you will be miserable from your very happiness.

A bad manner spoils everything, even reason and justice; a good one supplies everything, gilds a No, sweetens a truth, and adds a touch of beauty to old age itself.

Let him that hath no power of patience retire within himself, though even there he will have to put up with himself.

Advice is sometimes transmitted more successfully through a joke than grave teaching.

He that communicates his secret to another makes himself that other's slave.

Dreams will get you nowhere, a good kick in the pants will take you a long way.

Respect yourself if you would have others respect you.