Baltasar Gracián's book "The Art of Worldly Wisdom" (1647) is widely read and praised all over the world. Many people compare it to Machiavelli's "Prince" and Sun Tzu's "Art of War." Most think that this is a wisdom manual for secular success in career, politics, and business. This is totally
misconceived.
» Keep hope alive without entirely satisfying it. «
Hence, I view that the English title for the book is misleading. The original Spanish title of the book is "Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia" (The Pocket Oracle and the Art of Prudence). Prudencia is the virtue of prudence.
Gracián aims to encourage people to practice prudence in the world for
achieving access to the divine by reading this little manual in daily
life. This is a spiritual action treatise, not a self-help book for
worldly success in the common understanding.
» Intellect is not enough; character is also needed. «
Although the book consists of short maxims, one should read these between the lines with contemplation. We can use the Chinese wisdom approach of "微言大义" (trivial words with great ideas) in reading Gracián's book, finding out hidden and deeper wisdom for life in parallel with spirituality.
The First MaximEverything is at its peak of perfection. This is especially true of the art of making one’s way in the world. There is more required nowadays to make a single wise person than formerly to make the Seven Sages of ancient Greece, and more is needed nowadays to deal with a single person than was required with a whole people in former times.
The first maxim is very essential. This lays the foundation and the core idea of prudence in practice. Gracián thinks that every person can be on the way to perfection to access God, and this way is through practice in the secular world, not in deserts or monasteries. To be wise and access perfection, a secular person needs to practice his inner mind like the sages in ancient Greece. However, this is more difficult in the secular world, as he is easily addicted to evil temptations. The last sentence has political implications. Firstly, a prudent statesman can lead a nation to win any war, even if the enemy has more resources. Secondly, if the leader of your enemy lacks prudence, we can take this weakness as a strategic opportunity.
The Second MaximCharacter and intellect. These are the two poles of our capacity: one without the other is but halfway to happiness. Intellect is not enough; character is also needed. On the other hand, it is the fool’s misfortune to fail in obtaining the position, employment, neighbour, and circle of friends of his choice.
This is the first wisdom to build up a capacity for prudence. Most people value intellect highly, as this can be objectively tested and evaluated. We attend the same lessons and got similar MBAs. However, Gracián taught us to know our character first. God makes every person unique. Sun Tzu said, "You will win every time when you know yourself and your enemy fully!" Further, character should match close surroundings, because employment, neighbors, and circle of friends are your personal strategic assets. The more you know your character, the more prudent you are.
The Third MaximKeep matter for a time in suspense. Admiration at their novelty heightens the value of your achievements. It is both useless and insipid to play with your cards on the table. If you do not declare yourself immediately, you arouse expectation, especially when the importance of your position makes you the object of general attention. Mix a little mystery with everything, and the very mystery arouses veneration. And when you explain, do not be too explicit, just as you do not expose your inmost thoughts in ordinary conversation. Cautious silence is the sacred sanctuary of worldly wisdom. A resolution declared is never highly thought of—it only leaves room for criticism. And if it happens to fail, you are doubly unfortunate. Besides, you imitate the divine way when you inspire people to wonder and watch.
God is mysterious, and we should learn from God. According to Lao Tzu, we should keep quietness and silence to follow the Tao. Likewise, Gracián told us to close our mouths in open settings for two strategic aims. One is to arouse expectations among supporters, and another is to avoid attacks from enemies. The last sentence clearly teaches us to imitate God to create wonder and inspiration. These are also essential for public engagement and even in election campaigns.
The Fourth MaximKnowledge and courage. These are the elements of greatness. Because they are immortal, they bestow immortality. Each is as much as he knows, and the wise can do anything. A person without knowledge is in a world without light. Wisdom and strength are the eyes and hands. Knowledge without courage is sterile.
When one makes prudent decisions, knowledge is necessary. However, not all knowledge is good. We should only acquire knowledge that sheds divine light for immortality and salvation. As a virtue, we need to use good knowledge with courage and persistence, even when facing difficulty, denial, and criticism. Education and ideology often forbid us to learn fringe knowledge. To Gracián, people will be wise when they have broad knowledge. Directed by divine wisdom, one can even apply this fringe knowledge to create effective strategies.
The Fifth MaximMake people depend on you. It is not he that adorns but he that adores that makes a divinity. The wise person would rather see others needing him than thanking him. To keep them on the threshold of hope is diplomatic; to trust in their gratitude is boorish. Hope has a good memory; gratitude a bad one. More is to be got from dependence than from courtesy. He that has satisfied his thirst turns his back on the well, and the orange, once squeezed, falls from the gold platter into the waste basket. When dependence disappears, good behavior goes with it, as well as respect. Let it be one of the chief lessons of experience to keep hope alive without entirely satisfying it, preserving it to make oneself always needed, even by a patron on the throne. But do not carry silence to excess, or you will go wrong; nor let another’s failing grow incurable for the sake of your own advantage.
God gives us hope. Hope is a virtue. If there is no hope, the relationship will not last long. In human affairs, hope is linked to a variety of dependence: physical, financial, political, and even emotional. Gracián taught us to use dependence skillfully. As mentioned in the fourth maxim, keeping silence can sometimes boost dependence, as others may make mistakes and come back to you for help. You can be a mysterious mentor for influence and power over that person. However, one should note the last sentence. To be prudent, your silence should not be excessive, and your interests should not lead to another’s sin. Otherwise, you will not have salvation.
According to Gracián, stratagems do not only concern the secular world. When reading these maxims with a spiritual lens, true wisdom for life will be revealed. I hope to share more spiritual treasure of Gracián’s maxims with readers in the future.
Reference:
Hei Sing Tso (曹希聖) is a Hong Kong–based lawyer, independent scholar, and geopolitical commentator. Trained in law at the City University of Hong Kong and the University of Edinburgh, he also holds a Master's degree in Theology from the University of Chester. His work focuses on the intersection of Chinese strategic thought, philosophy, and international relations, with particular emphasis on classical traditions such as Sun Tzu, Guiguzi, and the I Ching. He is the president of Guiguzi Stratagem Learning and the author of I Ching and 36 Tricks.