It requires as much caution to tell the truth as to conceal it.

— Baltasar Gracián

Knowledge without courage is sterile.

— Baltasar Gracián

Memory is not only unruly, leaving us in the lurch when most needed, but stupid as well, putting its nose into places where it is not wanted.

— Baltasar Gracián

Never compete with someone who has nothing to lose.

— Baltasar Gracián

Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose.

— Baltasar Gracián

Never open the door to a lesser evil, for other and greater ones invariably slink in after it.

— Baltasar Gracián

One should cultivate good habits of memory, for it is capable of making existence a Paradise or an Inferno.

— Baltasar Gracián

Respect yourself is you would have others respect you.

— Baltasar Gracián

Rivalry discovers that courtesy overlooks.

— Baltasar Gracián

Say farewell to luck when winning. It is the way of the gamblers of reputation. Quite as important as a gallant advance is a well-planned retreat. Lock up your winnings when they are enough, or when great. Continuous luck is always suspect; more secure is that which changes. Though half bitter and half sweet, it is more satisfying to the taste. The more luck pyramids, the greater the danger of slip and collapse. For luck always compensates her intensity by her brevity. Fortune wearies of carrying anyone long upon her shoulders.

— Baltasar Gracián