To the reader

Part 1.

Human greatness should be measured by virtue, not luck: virtue

001.
Today, being a whole person
002.
A complete person is in harmony with both.
003.
The sewer reveals everything
004.
True knowledge gives courage
005.
Make people cling to you
006.
How to Become Indispensable
007.
Don't reveal all your strengths
008.
The moment you get swayed by emotions, you mess things up.
009.
If you can't fix your flaws, hide them.
010.
Love virtue over luck
011.
If there's anything I can learn from you, you're my teacher.
012.
Even geniuses try their best
013.
Make sure your intentions are not readily apparent.
014.
The wise method is as important as the essence.
015.
Who are the wise men you often meet?
016.
Good knowledge combined with bad intentions leads to madness.
017.
Don't be a predictable person
018.
Even innate abilities are perfected through effort.
019.
Make me curious rather than expectant.
020.
Luck and effort are both necessary, but the ability to read the times is even more outstanding.
021.
The road to fortune lies with virtue and courage.
022.
A witty remark often outweighs a serious lesson.
023.
Have your own special skill that covers up even your flaws.
024.
Have the discernment to control your crazy imagination.
025.
The most important truths are always half-told.
026.
Technology that moves human will
027.
Don't judge a book's value by its thickness.
028.
Taste and knowledge must exceed the level of the masses.
029.
Keep close to upright people
030.
A wise man does not engage in anything that brings him bad reputation.
031.
When in doubt, stand with the lucky one.
032.
Know how to use the power given to you for good.
033.
Don't lose yourself by worrying about other people's business.
034.
Know the source of excellence before it's too late
035.
Think about trivial matters trivially, and important matters carefully.
036.
When luck appears, move forward boldly.
037.
Be careful not to be destroyed by a single word.
038.
Don't test Lady Luck too long.
039.
You have to learn to enjoy every moment of life.

Part 2.

Perceive reality as sharp as a razor blade: reality

040.
To get a favor, you must first give a favor.
041.
Overestimation reveals a lack of knowledge and insight.
042.
Even a single gesture can exert influence.
043.
Accumulate the power of speech through silence
044.
A hero recognizes a hero
045.
Never get caught using tricks
046.
Low-level resentment hinders growth in life.
047.
It is better to avoid misfortune altogether than to overcome it.
048.
If you are not deep inside, you are often deceived by those who are flashy on the outside.
049.
The power to understand and grasp the essence of others at a glance
050.
A wise man is strictest with himself.
051.
What you choose determines your life.
052.
Wisdom comes from equanimity.
053.
Diligence lies between recklessness and caution.
054.
Courage is like a sword; it must be sheathed in prudence.
055.
To get a sure opportunity, you must overcome the test of time.
056.
The power to get things done without thinking ahead
057.
The greater the value, the greater the price demanded.
058.
Don't reveal the limits of your abilities.
059.
Rather than hoping for beginner's luck, be the one smiling at the finish line.
060.
Avoid caprice with experience and reason.
061.
There are times when you shouldn't try your best.
062.
Choose your collaborators wisely
063.
If conditions are equal, it is advantageous to do it first.
064.
Don't sacrifice a lifetime of pain for a moment of joy.
065.
The size of your vision is the size of your ability.
066.
The means shine only when they contribute to the end.
067.
Do something that will get applause rather than something that is important but not noticeable.
068.
Intelligence is the power to quickly realize what is important.
069.
If you live by your own feelings, your judgment becomes clouded.
070.
Appropriate rejection is more noble than indiscriminate acceptance.
071.
Among the capricious, there are few wise ones.
072.
The right to sit in high positions is given to those who have determination.
073.
Sometimes you just have to get out
074.
The higher your status, the more people you should be able to reach.
075.
Pick the best in your field, but try to surpass them.
076.
You can't become wise just by joking.

Part 3.

Life is short, but the memories of a life well lived are eternal: discernment

077.
If you have something in common, you can win their hearts.
078.
There is not much to be gained by being reckless.
079.
Humor can help you get out of trouble quickly.
080.
The truth is rarely conveyed as it is.
081.
Even if it's ordinary, something new is better than something excellent and old.
082.
If you go to extremes, the bottom is revealed.
083.
As long as you have enough wisdom, it's okay if you lack other things.
084.
A wise man benefits more from his enemies than a fool benefits from his friends.
085.
The brighter the torch, the more it wears out and the shorter its duration.
086.
Don't make a big deal out of a problem that can be solved with a little effort.
087.
Add wisdom, desire, and sophistication to your conversation.
088.
Sometimes you just have to pretend not to know
089.
If you don't know yourself, you can't be your own master.
090.
Life is short, but the memories of a life well lived are eternal.
091.
Prepare until you feel no anxiety
092.
The higher you fly, the wider your field of vision becomes.
093.
Learn the art of benefiting from all good things.
094.
You shouldn't be someone who can be recognized at a glance.
095.
Don't give up all your strength and knowledge, but let the other person expect more.
096.
The path to great goals with little effort
097.
Once you have a solid reputation, it's easy to maintain.
098.
The most practical knowledge is knowing how to hide your true intentions.
099.
If your appearance is not good, even if your intentions are good, they will seem inadequate.
100.
Those who have attained true knowledge of life can easily discern deception.
101.
Even if half the world turns its back on you, there is someone who will recognize your worth.
102.
Before you get lucky, you need to build up your courage first.
103.
Be worthy of your position.
104.
The hardest thing is to govern people.
105.
It's a good saying, but it's twice as good when it's concise.
106.
The more you try to earn respect, the harder it is to receive it.
107.
Complacency usually begins in ignorance and ends in foolish happiness.
108.
Harmonizing with others is a great ability.
109.
If you don't control your rough temper, everything becomes sin.
110.
Don't wait for people to turn their backs on you.
111.
A friend is another me
112.
If you gain favor, things will go smoothly.
113.
Prepare for bad weather and adversity when things are going well.
114.
The heat of competition burns away even your precious possessions.

Part 4.

Winning a person's heart is the greatest thing: relationships.

115.
Being comfortable with people's flaws is also a skill you can learn.
116.
There is no true friendship among mean people.
117.
To avoid the pitfalls of flattery and criticism, be careful what you say about yourself.
118.
Courtesy is cheap and valuable.
119.
Once you're caught up in hatred, it's hard to shake it off.
120.
Thoughts and tastes also change with the times.
121.
Don't make a big deal out of little things
122.
Winning a person's heart is the greatest thing.
123.
A wise man does not boast of his merits.
124.
It's not that you need the job, it's that the job needs you.
125.
Don't try to cover up your own flaws by pointing out others' flaws.
126.
Be careful about revealing your mistakes, even among friends.
127.
Possess courage, wisdom, and a secret charm that adds life to beauty.
128.
Great spirit shines everywhere
129.
Complaining always lowers one's reputation.
130.
A good appearance is a good way to reveal inner perfection.
131.
A noble spirit is revealed in the actions it takes when it has ample opportunity to take revenge.
132.
Think more about how you give than what you give.
133.
It's better to be sane with many than crazy alone.
134.
Prepare double the resources to prepare for human frailty.
135.
When persistence is excessive, only foolishness and anger remain.
136.
Don't just whine, get straight to the heart of the matter.
137.
If no one surpasses your tastes and thoughts, be content with yourself.
138.
A wise doctor knows when to prescribe and when to leave it alone.
139.
For every perfection, the right timing must be met.
140.
Find one perfection among a thousand flaws.
141.
Excessive self-satisfaction breeds contempt.
142.
You can't get revenge properly with a bad weapon.
143.
Falling into extremes only clouds your judgment.
144.
Show disguised benefits to attract others' will.
145.
A wise man does not show his weaknesses.
146.
Superficial people are quick to fall for tricks.
147.
No one is so perfect that they don't need advice.
148.
When speaking, caution is more important than fluency.
149.
Having a scapegoat is also a skill you must have.
150.
Learn how to prove your worth
151.
Nothing dangerous happens to a prepared person.
152.
Accompany someone who makes you shine brighter.
153.
To surpass your predecessor's reputation, your value must double.

Part 5.

Wisdom comes from inner self-control: inner

154.
Those who believe easily are soon put to shame.
155.
You must know how to get angry at the right time and stop properly.
156.
Don't rely on chance to make friends.
157.
Only great philosophy can penetrate and understand human nature.
158.
There are originally few people who can be good friends.
159.
The most important rule in life is patience.
160.
There is always time before speaking, but once speaking there is no time to turn back.
161.
Flaws are the blemishes that obscure perfection.
162.
Embrace the success of others and turn it into your own poison.
163.
It is not wise to associate with unhappy people.
164.
Aim big, test small.
165.
A righteous person does not use prohibited weapons.
166.
A person who only talks is as vain as the wind.
167.
If you can handle small difficulties on your own, you can control your own destiny.
168.
Be especially ashamed of mental deformities and disharmony.
169.
All the successes combined can't hide one small mistake.
170.
Don't use all your strength at once
171.
You should have a large anchor stored away for times of greatest danger.
172.
It takes decades to gain fame, but it can be lost in an instant over trivial matters.
173.
Don't be a person who is as fragile as glass.
174.
Even if you have a thirst for knowledge, you should restrain yourself from knowledge that is better left ignorant.
175.
It is unfortunate to rise to a high position without substance.
176.
There is no medicine that can cure those who are unaware of their own ignorance.
177.
Relationships that maintain a reasonable distance last longer.
178.
Listen to the voice of your heart that overcomes fear
179.
Wisdom comes from inner self-control.
180.
Analyze both sides and prepare both sides.
181.
You don't have to tell the whole truth
182.
Confidence gives wings to the wise.
183.
Even in very obvious cases, it's better to take a step back.
184.
A fool worships his own honor as an idol.
185.
Don't risk your fate on a single opportunity.
186.
A whole person knows his own flaws.
187.
The art of governance never works without rewards and punishments.
188.
Don't be swayed by exaggeration or flattery; develop an eye for people.
189.
Encourage others to depend on you.
190.
There is no pain that cannot be comforted.

Part 6.

This world is between heaven and hell: equanimity

191.
Discern the false courtesy that is a trap for the foolish.
192.
He who does not worry about trifles has everything.
193.
Beware of people who appear to care for others but only care about their own interests.
194.
Hope for the best, but always prepare for the worst.
195.
Have the wisdom to use knowledge properly.
196.
Find your own star to trust and rely on.
197.
A person who cannot protect his own reputation cannot help others' reputations.
198.
The same tree can become a statue on an altar depending on the location.
199.
Don't interfere here and there to make room for yourself.
200.
To avoid being unhappy in happy moments
201.
A truly foolish person is ignorant of his own foolishness.
202.
Actions are the essence of life, and words are its decoration.
203.
Learn from the great minds of our time.
204.
Don't think so much that it becomes difficult to act.
205.
The real secret to getting what you want is to take it for granted.
206.
A person worse than a vulgar person
207.
A moment of pleasure can lead to a lifetime of shame.
208.
A fool dies from being overly impressed with advice.
209.
He who laughs at everything is as foolish as he who is annoyed by everything.
210.
There are times when even the same truth needs to be gilded.
211.
This world is between heaven and hell.
212.
Don't reveal your true self
213.
Some refutations lead to perfection
214.
Even a wise man may make mistakes, but he will never do so again.
215.
We must increase our level of attention to match the other person's intentions.
216.
Think clearly, express clearly
217.
Today's friend may be tomorrow's worst enemy.
218.
If you are stubborn and unbecoming, you will not be able to do the right thing.
219.
Turn your cunning into wisdom
220.
If you can't take the royal road of courage, take the shortcut of skill.
221.
Stay away from people who only criticize you.
222.
Wise people know how to restrain their words.
223.
Is your unique personality a flaw or a flaw?
224.
The same thing looks very different when viewed from different angles and in different light.
225.
To become your own master, you must first know yourself.
226.
There is no such thing as unconditional favor.
227.
Being swayed by first impressions means you are superficial.
228.
A gossiper is always hated.

Part 7.

Don't put off the true study of life until the very end: wholeness.

229.
There are three journeys that make our lives complete.
230.
Realization that comes too late can be painful.
231.
Do not reveal your imperfect appearance carelessly.
232.
What good is knowledge if it is not practical?
233.
The cost of offending others is greater than the cost of pleasing them.
234.
You shouldn't leave your honor entirely to others.
235.
When making a request, wait for a time when you are in a good mood or when your body and mind are full.
236.
Great politicians do favors in advance.
237.
Don't accept too many favors.
238.
Imagine how different it would be if I filled in my shortcomings.
239.
Choose wisdom over knowing too much.
240.
Sometimes you have to exploit stupidity.
241.
Don't let anything happen that will make you laugh.
242.
Once you start something, see it through to the end.
243.
Even a wise person must use his doubts as much as possible.
244.
Discover how to honor others after receiving a favor.
245.
Don't overestimate someone who has never challenged your views.
246.
Excuses only arouse doubt.
247.
Don't fill your precious life with work alone.
248.
People become fickle when they judge things based on the latest information.
249.
Do the important things first, and don't put off real study until last.
250.
Not all praise is good, and not all malice is bad.
251.
Live as if there is no God, and believe as if there is only God.
252.
Don't live too selfishly or too altruistically.
253.
People who don't understand well always rate highly.
254.
Be patient in things that come from heaven, and wise in things that happen on earth.
255.
You should not be so generous that the other person cannot repay you.
256.
Don't let the attacks of fools ruin your reputation.
257.
When friends fall out, they become their worst enemies.

Part 8.

Leap to a new level every five years: Maturity

258.
Is there anyone who will share the misfortune?
259.
It is wiser to avoid insults in the first place than to retaliate afterward.
260.
Even the closest of relationships have secrets they must keep.
261.
If one or two mistakes continue, it proves foolishness.
262.
Sometimes the only cure for pain lies in forgetting.
263.
Giving pleasure is better when it is given to others.
264.
The time when you are most confident is the time when you need to be most careful.
265.
You have to be in difficult situations to develop excellence.
266.
Being good doesn't automatically make you whole.
267.
Knowing how to persuade with words is a great skill in life.
268.
A wise man finds joy and honor by doing what needs to be done at the right time.
269.
The glory of newness is fleeting, so we must make good use of it.
270.
Most bad taste comes from ignorance.
271.
Taking risks when you don't know what you're doing is ruining yourself.
272.
Being courteous opens up opportunities for others to repay your gratitude.
273.
Read your opponent's facial expressions and interpret their soul signals.
274.
Charm wins favor beyond ability.
275.
To gain public favor, you have to give up some dignity.
276.
People must leap to a new level of perfection every five years.
277.
You must know how to properly display your own excellence.
278.
Excessive self-disclosure increases discomfort.
279.
Not reacting is also a reaction
280.
Don't forget who you are because of other people's circumstances.
281.
A wise man's lukewarm affirmation is better than a criminal's applause.
282.
Even excellent people lose their luster when you get close to them.
283.
If you create something new and satisfying, it shines twice as brightly.
284.
You can shine the brightest when others want you to.
285.
We should not be too discouraged by the misfortune of others.
286.
You shouldn't accept everything someone does as a favor.
287.
The audience sees more than the people participating in the game.
288.
There is no exact rule that always applies.
289.
If your human side is revealed, your reputation will be damaged.
290.
Love and respect are hard to come by together.
291.
Words reveal a person's wholeness, but actions speak louder than words.
292.
A person must have the personal capabilities befitting a high position.
293.
Gold is valued by its weight, and people by their morality.
294.
We need healthy skepticism that isn't swayed by emotions.
295.
Build achievements, but don't sell them yourself.
296.
One outstanding person is better than many ordinary people.
297.
Even when you're alone, think as if the whole world is watching you.
298.
At twenty, will reigns, at thirty, talent reigns, and at forty, judgment reigns.
299.
When you feel thirsty, drink a little water to quench it, but do not quench it completely.
300.
Human ability and greatness should be judged by virtue, not luck.

Release | Kim Yu-kyung
Baltasar Gracian Chronology

Even Nietzsche and Schopenhauer fell in love with it
Deep and vivid insights into human nature

How much would you pay for lunch with Warren Buffett, the "Oracle of Omaha," one of the world's most successful investors? The 2022 "Lunch with Buffett" auction sold for $19 million (KRW 27 billion, based on the exchange rate of KRW 1,420).
This is a place where you can discuss any topic with Buffett, except where to invest in the future.
What did the unidentified bidder expect from Buffett, and what did he ask? There's even a more serious(?) story.
Steve Jobs once declared, “I would bet all of Apple’s technology on having lunch with Socrates.”
After all, didn't the businessman think that if he could obtain the living wisdom of Socrates, he could gain more than he had given up?

Here is a book whose true value has been recognized by the greatest sages and philosophers of mankind.
Even Nietzsche, the philosopher known as the “philosopher with a hammer” who refused to recognize any authority other than himself, praised it, saying, “I have never encountered such a sophisticated and refined guide to life,” and even Schopenhauer, who was famous for being a pessimist, did not spare his praise, saying, “This book is a lifelong companion that you should carry around with you and read throughout your life!”
He even showed his sincerity by studying Spanish separately for several years in order to translate this book into German (all the versions seen in Korea so far were either the German version translated by Schopenhauer or even a retranslation of the English version).
Not only that.
The brilliant philosophers and thinkers of 17th and 18th century Europe, such as Montaigne and Pascal, read this book and were greatly influenced by it. The English version also became a bestseller as soon as it was published, gaining explosive popularity worldwide.


Why were people so enthusiastic about this book? And why is it so popular now? It's because his writing transcends time and space, penetrating the essential principles of humanity and life.
The profound insights into human nature and life wisdom he conveys are surprisingly very modern.
The countless re-edited editions and translations into various languages ​​clearly prove its validity.
He transcends the limitations of class, occupation, and strict time divisions, and speaks to us boldly, even in today's postmodern era.


Machiavelli's sense of reality and
Acquire Nietzsche's existential consciousness together.

The 17th-century Spanish aristocratic world in which the author was active displayed outward glamour, but inside was full of deception, intrigue, and betrayal.
At that time, Spain was in a period of declining national power, and pessimism was spreading.
It was full of guidelines for polite court behavior, but lacked practical teachings on “wise yet realistic choices.”
Gracian wanted to impart tangible wisdom to protect oneself in such situations, warning of many pitfalls and evil deeds in advance.


The moralists of Baroque Europe only offered obvious answers based on examples and aphorisms from the Bible, so the conclusions were also obvious.
However, many parts of Gracian's writings are still relevant even after hundreds of years because they seek proactive solutions even in the worst of situations.
Although he was a Jesuit priest, his writings contain few religious references and do not adhere to Christian moral concepts.
This form of proverb reminds me of the Book of Proverbs written by Solomon among the many books of the Bible.


This book conveys the razor-sharp realism of Machiavelli's "The Prince" and the existential consciousness (struggle to overcome nihilism) of Nietzsche's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra."
It consists of 300 unbroken paragraphs numbered 1 to 300.
Here's a summary of what he said:


We should stop wasting time on unimportant things and focus on essential things.
…only those who try to solve things on their own without relying on others can succeed.
…knowing how to ask for advice is not a sign of weakness, but of wisdom.
Above all, success depends not only on achievements, but primarily on relationships.
…everyone should strive for perfection in their given circumstances, and wisdom and personal maturity are part of that perfection.
Luck comes often, but you have to know how to use it well.
…

Gracian realized that not all achievements lead to a meaningful life, and he strove to find harmonious wisdom.
So this book's focus is on all those who struggle every day to become wise and discerning in the face of the endless choices that are the arduous task of survival, and who desire success.
In this way, he tried to show the middle ground between a meaningful life and a successful life in a world full of conspiracies.


He helped me survive the fierce palace struggles to the end.
300 Shining Pieces of Realistic Wisdom

『The Wisdom of Winning People』, the 46th book published by Hyundai Jisung Classics, is the first Korean book to be translated directly from the 1647 Spanish original, and reflects the latest research results from the most authoritative researchers.
This is the first version in Korea to introduce the entire text in its original order, without any omissions or editing.
198 footnotes and helpful annotations help readers gain a thorough understanding of the social, cultural, and religious background of the time, and 300 texts are titled with precise context, allowing readers to grasp the core of the text at a glance.


This book may seem simple and easy to read on the surface, but it contains proven wisdom.
This is because the author's 'raw wisdom', a jewel of wisdom, is alive and well, having developed close ties with Spanish high society for decades and survived the palace intrigues of the rich and powerful.
Readers receive the gift of “300 wise and practical insights” from a loving, elderly priest for fellow human beings living in difficult times.