Baltasar Gracian

Do pleasant things yourself, but unpleasant things through others.

Never do anything when you are in a temper, for you will do everything wrong.

A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.
Baltasar Gracian - The Art of Worldly Wisdom, 1647
The sole advantage of power is that you can do more good.

Know how to ask. There is nothing more difficult for some people, nor for others, easier.

Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.

All that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that.

He who finds Fortune on his side should go briskly ahead, for she is wont to favor the bold.

A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends.

It is better to sleep on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterward.

The great art of giving consists in this: the gift should cost very little and yet be greatly coveted, so that it may be the more highly appreciated.

Attempt easy tasks as if they were difficult, and difficult as if they were easy; in the one case that confidence may not fall asleep, in the other that it may not be dismayed.

Put yourself on view. This brings your talents to light.

- Baltasar Gracian