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Summary: after NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI and SUN TZU comes BALTASAR GRACIAN
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A very small book--literally the size of a credit card, and only half an inch thick--of three-hundred maxims, covering practically all of the wisdom one needs to go through life. Each maxim covering less than a tiny page, often only half. (The size of THIS PARTICULAR EDITION is NOT meant to make one feel cheated of what one paid for. It IS meant to be COMPACT, to carry in the pocket or bag, for frequent reference, in brief quiet moments. There are hardcover versions around.)Originally written in Spanish in 1637 by a Jesuit scholar, it has been translated into eight European languages. This one translated by another scholar and literary critic named Joseph Jacobs, who also collected folklores (including English and Celtic fairy tales, as well as the fables of Aesop).
This particular translation is known to preserve Gracian's epigrammatic style, including his word plays and puns, albeit later updated where necessary due to being unclear and/or dated in grammar and syntax, and revised in comparison with other known English versions. In contrast to Machiavelli, who put CRUDE REALITY into words, Gracian is more on the side of a little IDEALISM and NOBILITY in living one's life. Which is not to say he aims for ASPHYXIA; much is given to living a happy life, part of which is giving oneself a break and a breather. [NEGATIVE] A few maxims are of limited use for its obviousness--in essence, "sometimes go left, sometimes go right". (Uhm, aren't those ALL of the very choices from which one must pick? And doesn't EVERYBODY ALREADY know that.) The wisdom of everything else in the book in nonetheless undiminished. The brevity (not concise; some maxims are translated rather long-windedly) of the maxims does not mean that they are to be read as many in one stretch. After all, the benefits only start when wisdom is absorbed and lived out. Best to read through a dozen at most at a time; re-read and re-read, giving each time to sink into the heart and mind; only then move onto the next dozen or two. Quite ENLIGHTENING. Worth keeping one copy of. Or perhaps two--a hardcover edition, too, in one's library, work desk, coffee table or reception room . . . for anyone who might walk in or anyone being made to wait, and who could use the time literally wisely.
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Summary: A Guide to Living a Successful Life
Review: I have read this book many many times, and have given a copy of it to each of my adult children. It contains common sense wisdom to help one deal with almost anything that comes along. If I would have only had read it when I was in my twenties, how much easier life would have been.However, I have no complaints. I am happy to have found it when I did, and life is so much better now. This Jesuit Priest (the author) had insights in the 17th Century that apply to virtually everything in today's modern world. With the exception of the Bible, this book contains more wisdom than anything I have ever read.
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Summary: My most loved book of all times
Review: I was given this book 30 years ago and always wanted the world to know that this became my most loved book of all times. I only hope the English translation is as of same quality as Schopenhauer's German translation. The Art of Worldly Wisdom is as true today as it was hundreds of years ago despite all the technology sourrounding us, and that in my mind is the real treasure of this book. Thank you Gracian Balthasar.
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Summary: a brilliant little book of 300 lessons
Review: The Art of Worldly Wisdom is one of my favorite books. It was written in the 1600s and contains 300 maxims in paragraph form. All you have to do is to open the book to the back where you will find a listing of the maxims. For instance, #192 is "A peaceful life is a long life." and #148 is "Have the art of conversation." Then turn to the appropriate page for your lesson in full. It's a tiny book that will amaze you with the amount of brilliance it contains. It's a book that will fit in your pocket and help you through life. I hope you'll love it as much I do.
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Summary: How to avoid all those dumb mistakes.
Review: THE ART OF WORLDLY WISDOM. Adapted from the translation by JOSEPH JACOBS. Unabridged. Shambhala Pocket Classics. 283 pp. Boston & London : Shambhala, 1993. ISBN 0-87773-921-8 (pbk.) Balthasar Gracian's 'The Art of Worldly Wisdom' is a collection of 300 brief maxims, most of which take up only a single page or less of this small book. His maxims teach us the art of getting along in the world. Gracian must have been a singularly wise person. Those who are lucky enough to discover his book before making all the major mistakes of their lives should count themselves very lucky, because what the author sets out to do is to teach us, in a very clear and easy-to-understand way, how to avoid all those dumb mistakes. You can open this book at any page and, if you are young, find out what you most definitely shouldn't (or should) be doing. And if you are old you will probably find yourself reading about all the things in your life that you shouldn't (or should) have done, and that you wouldn't (or would) have done if there had been someone as wise as Gracian around to advise you - and _if_ you had followed their advice. Here, chosen at random, are a few of his maxims : 83. Allow yourself some forgiveable sin. 141. Do not listen to yourself. 250. When to turn the conversation around. 252. Neither belong entirely to yourself nor entirely to others. 3. Keep matters for a time in suspense. 36. Before acting or refraining, weigh your luck. 69. Do not give way to every common impulse. 195. Put up with fools. 262. Be able to forget. Each of these maxims is fully developed and explained in the text which follows the maxim, and you are going to be amazed that anyone could have figured out so much. A handy complete list of the maxims is given on pages 261-81. Physically, the Shambhala Pocket Classic Edition of 'The Art of Worldly Wisdom' is an attractive book, and at just 7.5 cm by 11.5 cm is small enough to fit into the smallest purse or pocket. It is well-printed, in two colors, on excellent paper, is sturdily bound in stiff decorative wraps, and is even stitched. So if you think it's time you got your act straightened out, let Gracian show you how. You'd be hard put to find better counsel than his.
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Summary: Well....it's very practical
Review: Usually the beauty of a book like this is that the author has trancended the ego and offers insights from a spiritually elevated place, one to which we can all aspire. "The Art of Worldly Wisdom" at least acknowledges that much of what we want as ordinary humans is to get ahead; make more money, achieve fame, have more friends...basically have more than the next guy.
But the real challenge of life is the possibility of trancendance, the possibility of being something other than ordinary, the possibility of caring about something bigger than oneself. This book is enjoyable in that it tells it like it is, and with the abundance of feel good, sentimental, new-age quackery out there...that's refreshing. But in the final analysis it must be said that this book is nothing other than an eloquent reaction to fear. Listen to this bit of wisdom: "Let someone else take the hit. You will shield yourself from malevolence: sound policy in those who govern. Having someone else take the blame for failure and be the butt of gossip does not spring from a lack of ability, as malice thinks, but from superior skill. Not everything can turn out well, and you can't please everyone. So look for a scapegoat, someone whose own ambition will make him a good target." If that passes for wisdom, then I am the King of Siam reincarnated. I guess this is the supposedly "enlightened" self-interest that masquerades as a philosophy for living well in our culture. This guy has never made it out of the "I need" phase of spiritual developement. The book is interesting as a period piece, but Balthazar Gracian lives in a simple and selfish world. Do you?
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