The true way is the middle one, halfway between deserving a place and pushing oneself into it.
Baltasar GracianThe great art of giving consists in this the gift should cost very little and yet be greatly coveted, so that it may be the more highly appreciated.
Baltasar GracianOne deceit needs many others, and so the whole house is built in the air and must soon come to the ground
Baltasar GracianKnow how to keep anticipation alive: always strive to feed it, by letting the much promise more, and the one achievement be the announcement only of a greater. Put not all your reserves into the first throw; the great trick is to dole out strength, and to dole out mind, in such a fashion as to bring forward increasingly the fulfillment of what was expected of you.
Baltasar Gracian