Publisher's Synopsis
Written 300 years ago by one of Spain's most eminent authors - a Jesuit scholar - Gracian's work draws on his observations of statesmen and people in power who managed to combine material and wordly success with ethical behaviour. Each of the maxims in this book offers an insight into the art of living and the practice of achieving, and their reflections on reality and appearance, self-love and friendship, wit and ignorance, are as relevant today as they ever were.
