Inspirational Quotes

Words to motivate, inspire, and guide you.

Baltasar Gracian Quotes

Hear the Author's Words

Adversity Challenge Growth Many have had their greatness made for them by their enemies.

Honesty Integrity Reputation Trust A single lie destroys a whole reputation of integrity.

Change Concealment Envy Frustration Mystery It is good to vary in order that you may frustrate the curious, especially those who envy you.

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

Aging Beauty Behavior Justice Truth 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.

Avoiding Evil Consequence Resisting Temptation Wisdom Never open the door to a lesser evil, for other and greater ones invariably slink in after it.

Guidance Luck Patience Skill It is a great piece of skill to know how to guide your luck even while waiting for it.

Courtesy Discernment Justice It is better to have too much courtesy than too little, provided you are not equally courteous to all, for that would be injustice.

Avoidance of Regret Decision Making Forethought Mindful Action Proactivity It is better to sleep on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterwards.

Contentment Gratitude Memory Optimism Hope has a good memory, gratitude a bad one.

Opportunity Patience Timing One must pass through the circumference of time before arriving at the center of opportunity.

Careful Speech Communication Prudence Little said is soon amended. There is always time to add a word, never to withdraw one.

Decision Making Mindfulness Patience Reflection Self-Control Let the first impulse pass, wait for the second.

Accountability Communication Perseverance Timing Words There is always time to add a word, never to withdraw one.

Action Communication Contentment Humility Self-Discipline Be content to act, and leave the talking to others.

Knowledge Life Wisdom True knowledge lies in knowing how to live.

Dependence Patience Relationship Tolerance We often have to put up with most from those on whom we most depend.

Beginnings Individuality Begin with another's to end with your own.

Brevity Clarity Communication Self-Expression I strive to be brief, and I become obscure.

Desire Fear When desire dies, fear is born.

Authenticity Humility Integrity Reputation Self Worth Those who insist on the dignity of their office show they have not deserved it.

Endurance Inner Conflict Patience Self-Acceptance Self Reflection Let him that hath no power of patience retire within himself, though even there he will have to put up with himself.

Caution Conflict Human Nature Risk Wisdom Never contend with a man who has nothing to lose.

Deception Judgment Perception Things do not pass for what they are, but for what they seem. Most things are judged by their jackets.

Aging Human Nature Life Stages Philosophy Self-Discovery At twenty a man is a peacock, at thirty a lion, at forty a camel, at fifty a serpent, at sixty a dog, at seventy an ape, at eighty a nothing at all.

Guidance Hope Judgment Reality Self Reflection Hope is a great falsifier. Let good judgment keep her in check.

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

Achievement Ambition Excellence Self Worth To equal a predecessor, one must have twice they worth.

Aspiration Authenticity Heroism Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.

Gossip Influence Negativity Evil report carries further than any applause.