Editor's Note: Outstanding insight into the world and public psychology.

Chapter 1: Life Lessons That Teach Us the Meaning of Life

Happiness is fleeting, but honor is everlasting.
Happiness requires skill.
Calculate your own happiness
The art of living long is to live well.
If you want to take a big bite of happiness, you need a big stomach.
Peace is the way to live
Be sure to leave something to wish for.
We must leave unfulfilled desires behind.
Life is only once, so it should be a pleasant journey.
Take your time when you enjoy yourself, and work quickly.
Don't let a single day go by in your life without being negligent.
Don't be a stupid monster
Don't start life with the last thing you have to do.
Possess the ability of a noble and free soul in all things.
Ennoble your heart
You need to figure out your lucky star
Have values ​​and demonstrate them through action.
It is special wisdom to avoid the foolishness of ordinary people.
Know that lowly people are everywhere.
For everything to go well, the timing has to be right.
Not everything is happy, not everything is unhappy
You have to know how to help yourself to overcome great difficulties.
People with great discernment enjoy good fortune.
A wise man is content with himself.
Don't take it lightly just because it's a minor disaster.
Learning and courage produce greatness.
Evil intentions are the poison of life.
You must learn the skill of selection.
Learn to identify what is urgent.
There are good and bad things in everything in the world.
Don't die like a fool by getting sick with foolishness
We must grasp the essence of things
Complete happiness is achieved when there is both heart and head.
We must live wisely, changing direction according to the situation.
You must have both hard work and talent.
Be neither wholly mine nor wholly mine.
There is no worry that cannot be comforted.
Don't waste your precious life.
You must wake up on time so that it is not too late.

Chapter 2: Life Lessons That Strengthen Your Inner Self

Complete your incomplete self
Don't have any flaws or turn your flaws into something to boast about.
We must control our excessive imagination.
You must be an upright person
Don't be ordinary in anything.
Be aware of your outstanding abilities.
Have a thoughtful attitude
The inside must be greater than the outside
You must have sharp judgment
You have to fear yourself
Never lose your composure
Actions are swiftly carried out in accordance with what the intellect has deeply considered.
Mental courage surpasses physical strength.
In any case, you must know how to wait.
You must have an attitude of improvisation.
Learn to control yourself
In any case, think of the end
Don't be fickle, always show the same appearance
The starting point of self-improvement is self-awareness.
You must understand yourself accurately to become your own master.
Don't be flattered by temporary praise.
Whoever you are, have your own dignity.
Don't be easily satisfied with yourself.
Self-restraint is a sure sign of wisdom.
It's never enough to look smart
Think about tomorrow, the distant future
You also need to know how to observe the situation.
Sometimes you have to be able to forget
You must have a high spirit
You must firmly believe in your heart
You must always keep an eye on your inner self.
You must identify your major flaws.
Don't attract attention with your strange attitude.
Always renew your mind
Never act in the heat of passion.
Always remember who you are

Chapter 3: Life Lessons for Becoming a Wise Person

We need to change the way we do things.
Learn to read ambiguity
Deep and few are better than shallow and many.
You must also know how to reject or refuse to let go.
Don't get excited when you win, and say goodbye to luck.
Know when things are ripe and enjoy them.
Be smart, but don't abuse it.
Prudence and careful deliberation are sure signs of reason.
Never give or receive bad news.
Be decisive, not indecisive.
You need to know how to turn a blind eye to avoid getting caught up in complicated matters.
Don't try to see the end in either good or bad things.
Great self-protection is needed.
You have to be able to think backwards
Continue to maintain the success that is showing good signs.
Keep the happy ending in mind
Don't reject something that many people like.
You have to have a bit of a business mentality.
Use the inevitable crisis as an opportunity.
When you feel uneasy, don't rush in without caution.
You must have keen discernment and wisdom.
We must avoid disaster before we suffer disgrace.
Don't get involved in unpleasant things and just leave them alone.
You also need to know how to pass the buck.
Examine every detail, even the empty space, and understand even the floor you stand on.
Don't promise too much
Never aim to do what your competitors have already done.
Excessive confidence is a no-no in anything.
Don't have any grandiose ideas about yourself or your work.
Have a keen nose for detecting your opponent's cunning.
Do easy things as if they were difficult, and difficult things as if they were easy.
You must also know how to take it lightly and ignore it.
We must restrain our momentary anger and joy.
Don't show off work that's only half done.
There are many things and things we don't necessarily need to own.
Don't choose something special, choose something certain.
What a fool does at the end, a wise man does at the beginning.
Learn the art of beating your competitors and opponents.
You can never fight well with bad weapons.
Don't be swept away by the initial excitement, think twice.
Get involved in the work of others to achieve your goals.
Even the greatest talents cannot help but follow the flow of the times.
Do not engage in contradictory speech or behavior that goes against reason.
If you can't wear a lion's skin, you must wear a fox's skin.
Use all your wisdom to avoid rebellion.
Let's change our mindset and tastes to suit the times.
Don't just have the nature of a dove
Don't do stupid things one after another
Don't make one foolish mistake into another.
Things are perceived as they are, not as they really are.
You must be able to carefully conceal your own strategies.
Realize that the way you look is the way it is.
Don't be afraid to ask for advice from someone with insight.
The ending is not always decorated with fairness.
Let's value everyone and try to learn something from them.
Know the great men of your time
Suppress your aversion to the great ones
Recognize, distinguish, and utilize affinity.
Don't be a bad person because of excessive goodness.
Don't try to beat your superiors.
Never try to know the secrets of your superiors.

Chapter 4: Life Lessons on Gaining and Maintaining Reputation

Earn respect and honor through absence.
It's a truly great fortune to be both respected and loved.
A man's character should be superior to his position.
Only the perfected human can possess quiet authority.
Stop pretending to be important and become someone who is truly important.
Be a person of noble character
You should always act as if someone is watching you.
Genius, discernment, and discernment make for wonderful people.
If you have virtue, that's enough.
The greatest obstacle to reputation is recklessness.
Don't presume to do something unless others ask you to.
You must know how to make yourself look good.
Become the owner of a charm that attracts people.
As long as it doesn't diminish your prestige, get along with others.
Walk the middle path while accumulating merits
Do not damage your own or others' reputation.
Have something in your words and actions that inspires awe.
You have to take advantage of your new side.
Don't get involved in anything that might tarnish your reputation.
You should prefer a position that is welcomed.
Be especially careful not to become the subject of gossip.
Have a generous and noble demeanor
Make what you do stand out as much as possible.
Gain a reputation and keep it well.
Don't waste your best cards here and there.
If you become the best at anything, great fame follows.
Compete rather than imitate heroes.
Litigation over reputation should be avoided whenever possible.
The higher the position, the less influenced by passion.
The worst thing is to work yourself to death and end up just sweating.
Make your abilities unfathomable
Don't let one test determine your prestige.
You need to figure out what mistakes you make most often.
Even people of high reputation should admit their mistakes.
You need to know what abilities you lack.
I don't want to be accused of cheating.
Take advantage of what others don't have.
Don't use all your abilities at once.
Don't let your expectations get too high.
Always hold on to the last, subtle nuance of technology.
Don't trust your honor to others.
It's better to avoid making a mistake once than to hit a hundred times.
Never complain to others
The incomprehensible person gains fame.
Do good deeds and speak good words with all your heart.
Always have a spare in everything.
Do good things yourself, and let others do bad things.
Only rush in when you are confident that you can surpass the person in front of you.
Don't rush to get respect and honor.

Chapter 5: Life Lessons That Will Develop Your Inner Strength

Never exaggerate under any circumstances.
The less you talk, the less you argue.
Avoid making unnecessary excuses as much as possible.
Think like a minority, speak like a majority
You shouldn't always joke around.
Never talk about yourself
Say as many compliments as possible to others.
You must constantly speak the truth and know how to handle the truth.
You must know how to refute and also pretend to doubt.
In conversation, thoughtful discernment is more important than eloquence.
Be sure to master the art of expression.
Don't be a gossip, and don't be considered a gossip.
A well-timed joke can save a day.
Stock up on witty remarks and use them at the right time.
Take the joke, but don't make it yourself.
Silence is the guarantee of a talented mind.
You must be someone who knows how to honestly oppose.
When you receive an insult, turn it into a compliment.
Don't immediately refute the opponent's rebuttal.
Don't be too opinionated.
Speak in a language the other person can understand.
You need to learn the skills to get angry.
It is very rare for the truth to be heard.
Our will and words must be elegant.
Don't listen to your own story
Don't be too picky and nitpicky.
If you keep saying the same thing, you'll be treated like a burden.
Actions are the substance of life, and words are its decoration.
Put sugar in your mouth and sweeten your words.
Don't lie, but don't always tell the truth either.
Become a person who knows how to distinguish between words and results.
Don't reveal other people's mistakes with your own mouth.
Intentions expressed verbally are not valued highly.
You must learn to use polite language.

Chapter 6: Life Lessons that Teach Us the Secrets of Human Relationships

You should associate with people who have something to learn from.
You must give a reason why you should be subordinate to them.
Keep wise people around you to help you.
Find the key that can move your opponent as you wish.
Know how to refuse, but don't reject outright.
Distinguish between happy and unhappy people
You have to be able to adapt to everyone.
Don't just clash with your enemies, use them too.
Getting along well with people is a shortcut to becoming a complete person.
Avoid becoming a plaintiff if possible.
To make friends, make yourself a friend.
Earn love and favor, but don't exploit it.
Build friendships and show kindness in times of adversity.
If you want to win favor, never become a competitor.
You must become accustomed to the flaws of your acquaintances.
Associate only with people who have a sense of honor and duty.
You must earn a reputation for being polite to people.
Don't arouse resentment, don't incur hatred
The more talented you are, the less you should show off.
Even after stepping down, become someone who is needed again.
It's better to be foolish with everyone than wise alone.
Don't hang out with people who cast a shadow over you.
Don't be someone who is difficult to approach.
Don't trust easily, don't love easily
Choose your friends
Sometimes you have to know how to use your friends.
Don't be deceived by others
You must know how to tolerate fools.
Don't make the fate of the unfortunate yours.
Do not abuse the kindness of others.
Don't hang out with people who have nothing to lose.
Don't form fragile relationships or friendships at all.
We must reject the casual relationship
Don't take on a fool
Don't be swayed by first impressions
Beware of people who approach you with hidden intentions.
Don't misjudge the other person's tastes.
When asking for something, look for an appropriate opportunity.
Give kindness first, for the rewards that will come later.
Do good deeds, but not all at once.
Avoid clashing with rude and arrogant people in the first place.
Breaking up with a friend damages your reputation.
Find someone to share your misfortune with.
Don't die because of someone else's misfortune.
Let us realize that we cannot completely possess each other.
You must know how to impose obligations on others.
Don't be complacent about the other person's excessive courtesy.
Whatever you do, sell it with courtesy and at a fair price.
You shouldn't become a monster.
Avoid being indebted to others as much as possible.
Neither love forever nor hate forever
Don't show my sore fingers to others
Don't be fooled by flattery, and throw away the flatterer.
The problem is not knowing how to hide a mistake after making it.
You must also know how to test people.
Understand the minds of those who are related to you
Stay away from those who engage in factionalism.

Insights from a great philosopher that reveal the essence of life!

The 17th-century Spain in which Gracian lived was a world filled with poverty, corruption, and hypocrisy.
Gracian wanted to teach people the wise advice they need to know to maintain their true selves in such a society, to be highly regarded by the public, and thus to maintain happiness.
This book, which was born in this way, is full of thoroughly realistic, direct, and sharp words rather than philosophical, beautiful, and metaphysical words.
This book, which had a tremendous impact on 17th-century European society and was praised, is still considered one of the world's best life guides even after 400 years because it has a resonance that transcends time and region.


This book contains all the wisdom of life that we need to know as we live in modern society.
It is not just superficial, abstract life advice, but is full of vivid, concrete, practical rules that will help you live in reality.
Baltasar Gracian's insight that to be respected and recognized by others, like the brightly shining stars in the night sky, one must be a necessary person, not a good person, resonates even more deeply with 21st-century readers.
As you read this book, I hope you'll contemplate wise ways to navigate today's society, interacting with your friends, colleagues, rivals, and superiors.