The Art of Worldly Wisdom

Rating:
Summary: Full of wisdom.
Review: It's almost trite to say a certain book contains so much wisdom, but if I have to pick one, it would be this puppy right here. Doesn't matter what translator, because it's pretty hard to screw up such a great piece of work. If you haven't read this book before, I suggest you begin ASAP. Every time I read a passage, I would be in awe to have read such insight, yet at the same time it was clear and digestible--not to mention practical. It's not some obscure, hard-to-apply mumbo jumbo notorious in such books.

Rating:
Summary: Synopsis does not do justice to the book
Review: The synopsis as given:
Qoute: "Use human means as though divine ones did not exist, and use divine means as though there were no human ones." So wrote the Jesuit scholar Baltazar Gracian some 300 years ago, in a book that will be compared to Sun Tzu's The Art of War and Machiavelli's The Prince. A new translation of long lost wisdom on living successfully yet responsibly. End Quote.
actually does not do justice to the book at all. The quotation is of a sentence added by Gracian only to guard himself from the critique of his fellow jesuits, as it is a famous quote from Ignatius de Loyola. He himself however fully disagreed with this cryptic and non-sensical statement which clearly needs explanation. This is shown by the fact that the aphorism runs on: "this statement does not need any comment." All this was is a way of keeping his Jesuit masters happy.
The book is a rich collection of still very up-to-date advice for living a fruitful life, and unlike Machiavelli is not at all ruthless, but emphasises rigtheousness. Remarkbably easy reading after 300 years!

Rating:
Summary: Synopsis does not do justice to the book
Review: The synopsis as given:
Qoute: "Use human means as though divine ones did not exist, and use divine means as though there were no human ones." So wrote the Jesuit scholar Baltazar Gracian some 300 years ago, in a book that will be compared to Sun Tzu's The Art of War and Machiavelli's The Prince. A new translation of long lost wisdom on living successfully yet responsibly. End Quote.
actually does not do justice to the book at all. The quotation is of a sentence added by Gracian only to guard himself from the critique of his fellow jesuits, as it is a famous quote from Ignatius de Loyola. He himself however fully disagreed with this cryptic and non-sensical statement which clearly needs explanation. This is shown by the fact that the aphorism runs on: "this statement does not need any comment." All this was is a way of keeping his Jesuit masters happy.
The book is a rich collection of still very up-to-date advice for living a fruitful life, and unlike Machiavelli is not at all ruthless, but emphasises rigtheousness. Remarkbably easy reading after 300 years!

Rating:
Summary: The most thoughtful gift around
Review: This book changes lives...so, I make it a must give to everyone I love. It's that simple.

ari | http://www.projectchild.net


Rating:
Summary: a classic
Review: This book has no down side to it. A pure masterpiece, it shows how to get along in the world without being a cut throat. The best part of the book is the section on wisdom. He shows how to weigh the evidence, look at both sides of the argument and figure out where the truth is. This alone is worth the price of the book. His advice is very wise and realistic. It should be required reading for young adults and all about to start out in life.

Rating:
Summary: Belongs with the Bible, 'The Prince', and 'The Art of War'
Review: This book should reside next to your Bible, Sun Tzu's "The Art of War", and Macchiavelli's "The Prince". Like 'War' and 'Prince' (and some parts of the Bible), Gracian's thoughts can seem a bit too tough, at times. Don't be put off by that. Like all operating manuals, not all of it fits every person's situation. What you will find is a well-written set of directions, some of which you will want to apply in your life. I think you will find it is filled with very useful insights into the humans that surround you, and, perhaps, even into yourself. My advice? Buy it and read it. You can ignore anything that offends you.

Rating:
Summary: Belongs with the Bible, 'The Prince', and 'The Art of War'
Review: This book should reside next to your Bible, Sun Tzu's "The Art of War", and Macchiavelli's "The Prince". Like 'War' and 'Prince' (and some parts of the Bible), Gracian's thoughts can seem a bit too tough, at times. Don't be put off by that. Like all operating manuals, not all of it fits every person's situation. What you will find is a well-written set of directions, some of which you will want to apply in your life. I think you will find it is filled with very useful insights into the humans that surround you, and, perhaps, even into yourself. My advice? Buy it and read it. You can ignore anything that offends you.

Rating:
Summary: Belongs with the Bible, 'The Prince', and 'The Art of War'
Review: This book should reside next to your Bible, Sun Tzu's "The Art of War", and Macchiavelli's "The Prince". Like 'War' and 'Prince' (and some parts of the Bible), Gracian's thoughts can seem a bit too tough, at times. Don't be put off by that. Like all operating manuals, not all of it fits every person's situation. What you will find is a well-written set of directions, some of which you will want to apply in your life. I think you will find it is filled with very useful insights into the humans that surround you, and, perhaps, even into yourself. My advice? Buy it and read it. You can ignore anything that offends you.

Rating:
Summary: One of the top ten books.
Review: This is one of the top ten books of all time. Wise, cogent, witty, poetic and human. Machiavelli with a soul. His final advise for getting over in the world, besides "Do, but also seem." "Be a saint."

Rating:
Summary: I love this book---one of my favorites.
Review: When I started to read this book I did not want to put it down. But this book is not meant to be read in one sitting, allowing the reader time to reflect on the art of life. Gracian's use of words in these aphorisms hit the mark; though he may seem cynical, at this day and age one can easily embrace his views about everyday dealings with mankind, not always easy, requiring a delicate balance of patience that is needed most when the supply seems to have run out. He reminds us of how human we all are. It is hard to pick out a favorite, so here is a sample: "A man who can wait, for it marks a great heart endowed with patience; never to be in undue haste or excited. Be first the master of yourself, and you will thereafter be the master of others; one must journey far through time to get to the core of anything. A prudent waiting brings season to accomplishment and ripeness to what is hidden... God himself does not tame with a whip, but with time..." A must for anyone interested or studying philosophy, principles of living.