Watchfulness is the only guard against cunning. Be intent on his intentions. Many succeed in making others do their own affairs, and unless you possess the key to their motives you may at any moment be forced to take their chestnuts out of the fire to the damage of your own fingers.
Baltasar Gracian
To equal a predecessor, one must have twice they worth.
Baltasar Gracian
Mediocrity obtains more with application than superiority without it.
Baltasar Gracian
Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one.
Baltasar Gracian
It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.