Suggested Reading: The Art of Worldly Wisdom, by Baltasar Gracián (1601-1658)

The Art of Worldly Wisdom by Gracián y Morales, Baltasar, 1601-1658;

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltasar_Graci%C3%A1n 
• https://archive.org/details/artofworldlywisd00gracuoft/page/n1/mode/2up
  
• https://librivox.org/art-of-worldly-wisdom-by-baltasar-gracian/

"300 short maxims by Spanish Jesuit Baltasar Gracian (1601-1658). The advice is still useful and insightful for our modern world. Gracian was considered one of the most interesting philosophers by both Nietzsche und Schopenhauer, and the latter translated The Art of Worldly Wisdom into German. This English translation was done by the famous Australian fairy-tale collector Joseph Jacobs (1854-1916)."

The One Word of Truth

[image credit: Stephen R. Donaldson]

 

“Stone and sea are deep in life

Two unalterable symbols of the world

Permanence at rest

And permanence in motion

Participants in the power that remains”
- Saltheart Foamfollower (a giant, of Seareach)

 

“And he who wields white, wild magic gold is a paradox
For he is everything and nothing
Hero and fool
Potent, helpless
And with one word of truth or treachery
He will save or damn the earth
Because he is mad and sane
Cold and passionate
Lost and found”
- Mhoram (last High Lord of the Council of Lords)

 

 

“Melenkurion abatha! Binas mill Bana Nihoram khabaal! Melenkurion abatha! Abatha Nimoram!” 

 

~ Stephen R. Donaldson, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever

 

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Thomas_Covenant
• https://unbeliever.fandom.com/wiki/Thomas_Covenant