The Art of Worldly Wisdom (original 1647; edition 2009)

In a way, I'm glad that I got some of these philosophy books, (what I mean is, that I got some of them, back whenever I got them), although some of them-- like Descartes-- I discarded almost upon opening. (I mean, I was perfectly capable of talking about Descartes 'intelligently' in school-- using Cartesian terms correctly-- but of course in my own home, I could see what a waste it all was.... as though the book itself, when opened, gave off a smell of rotten fish which someone forgot to salt or something.... "To overvalue something is a form of lying." I mean, yeah, like with that video game that I used to think was the best think ever put together by mortal man-- "Wipe this pathetic planet off the face of the galaxy....")

And so, here again I have another one of these 17th-century disappointments.... I mean, I hate to make historical comment, but I honestly only mean it in a sociological way, since so many people are all so much the same-- just as the later 19th century had so much, though of all the wrong things, the 17th century had either nothing, or so much, of nothing.... while the 18th was intolerable a mere 19 times out of 20, that's all, ha!

So, there's that, I suppose.

But at least we have a stupid Spaniard for all those stupid Greeks and Germans.... "We do not destroy religion by destroying superstition." ~ M.T.C. Although we can only guess what the Jesuit would think of my namesake....

{But the fact that Spanish words are vaguely like Latin words will always be a source of endless delight to all thinking people-- although what I really liked (past perfect, hon-hon-hon: I am Swedish!) was something far more obscure than Spanish, although windmill-fighter Spanish, ("It's a ceiling fan." "It's a whirling, five-armed monster!") *is* obscure, but *Catalan*, is minoritarian, and only something that a real elitist would have even *heard* of, and what's even better are those tabels, of equivalent words in Romance and Germanic languages, or better yet, one of those tables where the equivalent words descended from one Latin word, like British imperial way-stations, are maped out in, say, five to seven daughter languages, I used to really love that-- hours and hours of delight, just like cribbage, or German whist, which I've discovered (just today) that you can actually play with yourself, just in case it's easier to cobble together patience, than three friends! ^^}

Anyway. I'll try not to bore you too much.

He wants me to think that he is good for an aphorism, that he, like Nietzsche, has a mind for it, you know, that he has no need for the dross, that he has a sharp mind, and unburdened too, and perhaps with a flash of worldly intuition.... and that he is also wise like Epictetus, ever quiet, and perhaps also sharing a little joke, softly, with his misfortune, without saying hardly anything....

But he is not Nietzsche, and he is not Epictetus, and I actually don't think that he's even so wise as Hoyle. Or, perhaps you would prefer, Wolfgangus Theophilus Amadeus Mozartian. ^^

(Or Mary Bennet, who was wretchedly unhappy because she was unable to play the piano with any kind of skill.... yes, because she could not play the piano and get other people to like her that way, she was, wretchedly unhappy. But.... well, whatever. Who cares. Who cares about that. ^^)

To be honest, this is sorta how I feel about Shakespeare-- imagine what a blessing Shakespeare was to the 17th century! After all, it's not as though *they* could go see "The Magic Flute"!

.... {And anyway, I didn't find any that I liked so well as-- "What we cannot speak about, we must pass over in silence"!}

{To be honest, I was waiting for him to say, 'Vanity and pride are not the same, although the words are used interchangeably.'}

{.... "Even God does not tame with a whip, but with time." What does that mean? " 'Lie down on the couch.' 'What does that mean?'..... 'The Baltimore County School Board have decided to expel Dexter from the entire public school system.'.... 'That boy needs therapy.'.... 'This is like free therapy. New York State cares.'}

{.... I mean, the guy has a fucking cluttered way of thinking, if you ask me....}

{"One who enters the house of fortune through the gate of pleasure leaves it through the (door) of sorrow.".... "Sometimes a parrot talks.".... "Kavorka, Jerry-- the lure of the animal!"}

{"Mediocrities are not the subject of applause.... Work with good tools...." Even the king of Finland knows that a hearty breakfast is the most important meal of the day.}

{"Good to be a bit vague...." Just bullshit a bit-- it'll be fine....}

(7/10) ( )

The Jesuit scholar Balrasar Gracian wrote these aphorisms over three centuries ago. His position allowed him to be a keen observer of many in positions of power. And his writing can be used today as it was in his time in business, politics, and life in general. The author shares his wisdom on how to live a life with others. His writings advise the reader on many of life’s situations and on personal interactions. Whether considered a work on philosophy or behavioral science this book is one which the reader will refer too often. There is no need to read the book straight through from cover to cover but once. For in the back of this volume you will find a list of the aphorisms where you can go to the one that you feel would be appropriate to your situation and help with some valuable insight. ( )

Gracian's The Art of Worldly of Wisdom is interesting. It definitely has some gems in it. For example, "...Virtue alone is sufficient unto itself: and it, only, makes a man worth loving life, and in death, remembering." ( )

Baltasar Gracián y Morales (January 8, 1601 – December 6, 1658) was born in Spain, the son of a doctor. He studied theology at Zaragoza, and was ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1633. The Aragonese village of his birth changed its name in his honor.

The 1637 "Oraculo manual y arte de prudencia" consists of 300 maxims with commentary. The aphorisms were composed by the priest during his teaching and administration of the Jesuit College at Huesca, near the museum-library mansion of Vincencio Juan de Lastanosa, one of the remarkably rare wealthy humanist scholars who became his friend and publisher. This work is filled with poetic word-play, rhetoric devices, and is an anthology of the Baroque "conceptismo" literary style. It is characterized by rapid rhythm, direct and simple words, witty metaphors, and pithy but multiple meanings.

The "oracle" -- layered with the meaning of guide, and future action -- provides instruction for prospering through virtue and serves as "a companion for life" (Schopenhauer's description for his translation), in an elliptical manner.

Although Gracian was repeatedly warned not to publish his works without permission, he repeatedly disobeyed, and ignored reprimands. He was sanctioned and exiled to Graus, and tried unsuccessfully to leave the order.