The Art of Worldly Wisdom: A Pocket Oracle

Review of: "The Art of Worldly Wisdom: A Pocket Oracle" by Baltasar Gracian. Baltasar Gracian was a Jesuit teaching in colleges across the Kingdom of Aragon in addition to being the confessor to the viceroy of Aragon and chaplain to the Spanish army at the siege of Lleida. His later fame was premised on his being considered one of the great Spanish stylists and moralists of the mid-seventeenth century. The Pocket Oracle and Art of Prudence was published in 1647. It was based upon Gracian's own experiences and consists of a collection of three-hundred aphorisms offering "pragmatic, hard-headed and coldly calculated advice" on how to thrive in the cut-throat world of Baroque society. Each of the three-hundred units in the book consists of an initial aphorism/maxim followed by a commentary. For example, [aphorism] 267: "Silken words, and Mild Nature: Arrows pierce the body, but harsh words the soul. A pill can make your breath smell sweet, and to know how to sell air is one of life's subtlest skills. Most things are bought with words, and they're enough to achieve the impossible. All our dealings are in the air, and the breath of a prince greatly inspires. So your mouth should always be full of sugar to sweeten your words so that they taste good even to your enemies. The only way to be loved is to be sweet-natured." This book is comparable to Machiavelli's "The Prince," Benvenuto Cellini's "Autobiography," and Baldesar Castiglione's "The Book of the Courtier" but is much more useful in illuminating the human condition of how and why we act the way we do. As applicable today as when written and very masterfully composed. The only caveat to the reader is that it may remind him or her of many people they know, perhaps even themselves. Recommended as a guide to navigate through the corridors of power; the boardroom or the bedroom, it is a must have. Recommended without hesitation or reservation at five+ stars.

I stumbled across this book 2 decades ago and found it a tough read due to the old world verbiage. I found this book was best digested slowly so I read one of the 300 or so topics a day so a page a day. For a book of wisdom I found it was a great toilet read, go figure. Being an average student, over the course of 10 years, I read this book a total of eight times using a different marker for each reading. This book was the first guide on how to deal with others with a trained intellect rather than using my natural thinking and actions. This is a guide on how to influence people for their or your own benefit. The only other instruction of this caliber is the book of Proverbs by Rabbi/King Solomon. This is a book of wisdom that gives instruction on day to day interactions and how best to manage people and events that present in the course of life. Like a gun these principles can be used to pursue good or nefarious outcomes. In the very least comprehending the principles presented in The Art of Worldly Wisdom would arm you with knowledge and reason enough for you to recognize when someone is employing tactics covered in this book on you.

If Gracián describes your life, then you are living very, very well.These few hundred brief, oblique, and aphoristic guidelines come down from the 17th century, but are as fresh and true as today's "talk" with your boss. They describe honor, skill, honesty, and trust. They describe the times when each must be pressed, and when each must be left behind. Gracián states again and again how each moment nurtures some effort or other, and how each kind of effort must await its moment. He also prescribes a peaceful mind, most times. That means letting go of matters that do not matter, for your own sake, for mercy towards those around you who may suffer brief lapses, and for your reputation as a person of judegement.I fault Gracián for exactly one lack: continuous and clear-eyed self criticism. The essence of all art and all science, in terms of daily practice, is the ability to look at one's own work, and to see clearly what parts succeed and what parts fail. Somehow, Gracián missed the bravery required to tear down your own work when it needs to be torn down, in order to build up something more worthy in its place. I also question Gracián's central emphasis on luck, on the benificent forces of the stars. I have seen luck, good and bad, and have always seen that it is a thing a person creates for him/herself. In my own life, I acknowledge random effects for good or bad, but I see little or no "luck."Gracián's essential message describes a person of honor, determination, insight, and adaptability. This person, in the end, can only succeed. This is a book to read, to re-read, and to re-read again. Mark it up, add your thoughts - it can only become more true.//wiredweird