Number 247 of Balthasar Gracian's The Art of Worldly Wisdom gives us timeless advice to preserve our minds and hearts for the real fights of life. Millions still live by the wise words of this 17th Century Jesuit priest; his many wisdom teachings are as relevant today as the day they emerged from his mind. His advice on a careful modus operandi:
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Know a little more, live a little less. Some say the opposite. To be at ease is better than to be at business. Nothing really belongs to us but time, which you have even if you have nothing else. It is equally unfortunate to waste your precious life in mechanical tasks or in a profusion of too important work. Do not heap up occupation and thereby envy, otherwise you complicate life and exhaust your mind. Some wish to apply the same principle to knowledge, but unless one knows one does not truly live.
Know a little more, live a little less. Some say the opposite. To be at ease is better than to be at business. Nothing really belongs to us but time, which you have even if you have nothing else. It is equally unfortunate to waste your precious life in mechanical tasks or in a profusion of too important work. Do not heap up occupation and thereby envy, otherwise you complicate life and exhaust your mind. Some wish to apply the same principle to knowledge, but unless one knows one does not truly live.
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Some truly wish to live it up, as if there was no tomorrow, not seeking to know anything. It’s a ‘live now, pay later’ philosophy for living and it bears so much resemblance to today’s typical Gen Y approach. Yet, it is self-defeating. We only have to watch on and observe another’s life who insists in living to the full to discover it’s a short-lived energy that’s used and inevitably abused -- rank foolishness. It’s far better to live a quietly-paced life that brings with it such a panoramic perspective as to truly appreciate the day -- Carpe Diem; not in a helter skelter way, but in a way that we see as we are truly designed to see.
Some truly wish to live it up, as if there was no tomorrow, not seeking to know anything. It’s a ‘live now, pay later’ philosophy for living and it bears so much resemblance to today’s typical Gen Y approach. Yet, it is self-defeating. We only have to watch on and observe another’s life who insists in living to the full to discover it’s a short-lived energy that’s used and inevitably abused -- rank foolishness. It’s far better to live a quietly-paced life that brings with it such a panoramic perspective as to truly appreciate the day -- Carpe Diem; not in a helter skelter way, but in a way that we see as we are truly designed to see.
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We all have one thing as much as anyone else: time. It’s no matter to have all the money in the world; we can’t buy more time. This is a reality everyone must accept. Our investment in time is as much the only investment as it could be to make the best investment. All other investments pale into insignificance in contrast with the investments from, and of, and for, the time-perspective.
We all have one thing as much as anyone else: time. It’s no matter to have all the money in the world; we can’t buy more time. This is a reality everyone must accept. Our investment in time is as much the only investment as it could be to make the best investment. All other investments pale into insignificance in contrast with the investments from, and of, and for, the time-perspective.
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We best not waste our time on banal things or things at the other extreme -- why would we choose a grandiose death for ourselves? Mediocrity is said to be for the not-so-wise, but is that really so? To choose the middle ground in our tasks is wisdom that not so many choose. Running after mirages are the people who forever wish upon loftier duties. They will never be satisfied, ever. It is so poor to be fooled in such a way as to miss life. And we get repetitive for the same reasons; habits cling to us like bad smells. Our routines are a deceptive curse. Life is likewise rejected in the name of normality.
We best not waste our time on banal things or things at the other extreme -- why would we choose a grandiose death for ourselves? Mediocrity is said to be for the not-so-wise, but is that really so? To choose the middle ground in our tasks is wisdom that not so many choose. Running after mirages are the people who forever wish upon loftier duties. They will never be satisfied, ever. It is so poor to be fooled in such a way as to miss life. And we get repetitive for the same reasons; habits cling to us like bad smells. Our routines are a deceptive curse. Life is likewise rejected in the name of normality.
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Exhaustion. Utter confusion. Proliferation of activity brings it on. To make such a fuss of life as to whip up a frenzy of envy, we defeat everyone, including one’s self. Why? It is not good to go to extremes in anything; knowledge or life. Choosing the knowledge or the middle ground, however, must be the best advice.
Exhaustion. Utter confusion. Proliferation of activity brings it on. To make such a fuss of life as to whip up a frenzy of envy, we defeat everyone, including one’s self. Why? It is not good to go to extremes in anything; knowledge or life. Choosing the knowledge or the middle ground, however, must be the best advice.
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Know when to hang back and stay out of the way. Become at times inaccessible. This way we both protect and create time. There is a tomorrow; we’re creating it or destroying it by the way we live.
Know when to hang back and stay out of the way. Become at times inaccessible. This way we both protect and create time. There is a tomorrow; we’re creating it or destroying it by the way we live.
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Take time to live life. One day at a time.
Take time to live life. One day at a time.
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Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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