Book
The Art of Worldly Wisdom
Writing & Narrative
Philosophy & EthicsWhat is The Art of Worldly Wisdom in the Agency editorial?
The Art of Worldly Wisdom is a book by Baltasar Gracián. In Writing.1, Proverb 8 from the book is quoted at length, arguing that perfection resides in quality, not quantity, and that intensity brings wisdom.
In short
In Writing.1, The Art of Worldly Wisdom appears in a section titled 'In the mind of Gracian.' The edition quotes Proverb 8, 'How to reach excellence,' which argues that perfection resides in quality, not quantity, that everything good is little or rare, and that only length or volume has never been anything more than mediocrity. The proverb says some esteem books for their size as if they were written to exercise the arm, when their true purpose is to strengthen intelligence. It concludes that intensity brings wisdom and makes men and women admirable.
Key facts
- Which part of the book is quoted?
- Proverb 8, 'How to reach excellence,' on valuing quality over quantity.
- What is the proverb's core argument?
- That perfection resides in quality, not quantity, and that intensity brings wisdom.
- In what section of Writing.1 does it appear?
- In a section titled 'In the mind of Gracian.'
What is The Art of Worldly Wisdom?
The Art of Worldly Wisdom is a book by Baltasar Gracián, published in 1647. These identification facts come from outside the editions and are marked for verification.
How does it appear in Writing.1?
In Writing.1, the book is quoted in a section about Gracián's thinking. Proverb 8, 'How to reach excellence,' argues that perfection resides in quality, that everything good is little or rare, and that only length or volume has never been more than mediocrity. The proverb notes that some esteem books for their size as if written to exercise the arm, when their true purpose is to strengthen intelligence. It concludes that intensity brings wisdom and makes men and women admirable.
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
Also from these editions: concepts
Also from these editions: terms
Related concepts
- Baltasar GraciánBaltasar Gracián was a Spanish Jesuit writer of the 17th century, author of The Art of Worldly Wisdom, a collection of maxims. Writing.1 quotes him once, in a quotation…
- Gracián's Principle of BrevityGracián's principle of brevity is the philosophical doctrine that artistic excellence and wisdom reside in concentration and quality rather than hollow volume…