The Art of Worldly Wisdom (Dover Books on Western Philosophy)

Really enjoyed this, Gracian certainly understood human nature, and he's distilled his ingenious wise words on how best to conduct your affairs into 300 maxims. It's a keeper that you'll keep returning to.

interesting afternoon read

Back in favour in the academic world, Gracian's 17th century ponderings are less cynical than Machiavelli's yet just as appropriate in our time. An invitation to reflect on fruitful, loving (and humorous) ways to overcome the ruthless logic of this globalised insanity, they are, alongside Lao Tseu, Gandhi, the memoirs of Nelson Mandela - among others - a reassurance that "Virtue alone is serious, all else is but jest. A man's capacity and greatness are to be measured by his virtue and not by his fortune". A 'must-have' for my shelves.

Perfect for the commute where I can read a little and think. Like most things in life, take them as general ideas rather than rigid rules.

An excellent purchase. Many thanks, Suzette Quinn.

This should be taught at schools.

This is a low quality Amazon print on demand product. Also, the book is too big to be used as a "pocket guide" as many people describe this work to be. The text is out of copyright so the print quality need to be good to justify a high price. I suggest looking for a version of this book from a real publisher.

I am a big fan of this book; I bought the Dutch version in 1992. I have another version, translated by Christopher Maurer. The two translations are not the same. Maurer's is far more to the point, uses a rich vivid English, whereas the English in Jacobs' version is almost rudimentary at times. Using Roman numerals comes close to pedantry.

Excelente adquisición pues el aprendizaje es para toda la vida. Recomendado.

This book is a treasure trove of practical wisdom. Each short chapter or aphorism is concise, thought-provoking, and surprisingly applicable even in modern life. It covers everything from human nature to decision-making, relationships, and personal growth — all in a way that’s easy to read and reflect on. I love how you can pick it up at any time, read a passage or two, and immediately apply the lesson. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you long after reading. Dover’s edition is clean, affordable, and well-formatted, making it perfect for both first-time readers and collectors. Bottom line: If you’re looking for timeless insights on life, behavior, and strategy, this book is a must-read.

جيد

For books, age is beauty. If a book survives the ravages of time, then it should be put in the "great books" list. This book by Baltazar Gracian is one of those great books. Written during the 1600s, the content is relevant even for today's world. Most of the ancient works of wisdom (including Indian, Greek, Roman) are known for their "get to the freaking point right away" style. This book falls into that category. It doesn't have the typical "beginning, middle, and end" style. All it contains is a set of random nuggets of wisdom (each half page long), which can be chewed in small quantities everyday. Highly recommended.

Classic book you can pick up anytime and flip to any page and start reading. I read through it all once and every now and then ill flip through it to refresh. the spine is also nice and "bendy"- perfect for anyone who wants to highlight and take notes in the margins :)