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Summary: A GUIDE TO HUMAN NATURE, LIFE, Reactions And Interactions
Review: El Arte de la Prudencia Baltasar Gracián.Lo bueno si breve, dos veces bueno. Es esta una de las citas que se pueden extraer de tan buen libro de consejos y ejemplo del barroco en la literatura. Frases cargadas de giros del lenguaje, acompañadas de sabiduría por un hombre muy sagaz para aconsejar en materia de ser prudentes en la vida cotidiana. Este pequeño volumen, puede usarse como uno de esos libros de cabecera en el cual se leen párrafos todos los días. Conceptista por excelencia, Gracián nos ilumina grandemente en una época en la cual el ingenio parece relegado por el exceso de información a la que tenemos que hacer frente. A veces en nuestro afán de poseer conocimientos y estar enterados de la ultima cosa que pasa, no cultivamos el ingenio, sin saber que eso nos ayudara en muchos casos. Por ejemplo el ingenio nos puede ayudar allí donde la avalancha de conocimientos inútiles se queda corta. Podemos considerar el ingenio como la habilidad de manejarnos con los datos que tenemos para sacar partido de situaciones inesperadas. También podría ser la forma ingeniosa en que encontramos soluciones insólitas para cosas cotidianas, que las personas bien informadas, pero sin ingenio ven como avasalladoras. En definitiva una buena lectura para aquellos que deseen cultivar su ingenio. Luis Méndez.
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Summary: A fine book for rare people
Review: Gracian had a splendid understanding of human nature. This book is just phenomenal, and it is not intended to be read and left on the shelf, it must be digested little by little, like the Book of Proverbs.
His insights have been copied and rewritten all the time, because they are universal in nature. It is interesting to notice that even though Gracian gives counsel on how to deal with people and even enemies, the BIG difference we see in him when compared with other authors like Machiavelli (whom Gracian detested) is his love for virtues like courage, generosity and kindness.
Gracian writes in order to make people become better human beings, not to give advice on how to win a war or have success in business, with a finesse that unfortunately is not found easily any more in our brute and materialistic world of today.
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Summary: Chinese translation is also good
Review: I bought a Chinese translation one as I did not see the original one in local bookstore. but I the Chinese translation is also as good as the English one after seeing the sample pages. In fact, Gracian's thinking is quite similar to the traditional Chinese thinkers such as Lao Zi, founder of Taoism, a thousand years ago. That's why it was translated to Simplified Chinese as it can be easily accepted by all Chinese worldwide. Of course, Chinese translation is much cheaper, a brand new one just cost less than US$4. And also, Chinese wordings can fully translate the English version of the book. I will recommend books about Lao Zi if you like this one. Of course, this book is easier to read if you don't know much about Chinese culture. Even as a Chinese myself, I found the idea of Taoism very difficult to understand when I was young. I even think about, "What the hell is that?" But as you grow older, when more problems arise between person and person, you understand more, about Taoism and life.
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Summary: A rare find and undiscovered treasure!!
Review: I first checked this book out in a library years ago out of curiousity. I was dumbfound that this was written centuries ago! I was amazed that this book wasn't as huge as the holy bible! Everything you need about tactful life strategies. A true rare gem! I loved it so much I bought many copies and gave them as gifts to friend and family. Now this book is like a bible to me!
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Summary: The most thoughtful gift around
Review: This book changes lives...so, I make it a must give to everyone I love. It's that simple.
ari | http://www.projectchild.net
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Summary: Belongs with the Bible, 'The Prince', and 'The Art of War'
Review: This book should reside next to your Bible, Sun Tzu's "The Art of War", and Macchiavelli's "The Prince". Like 'War' and 'Prince' (and some parts of the Bible), Gracian's thoughts can seem a bit too tough, at times. Don't be put off by that. Like all operating manuals, not all of it fits every person's situation. What you will find is a well-written set of directions, some of which you will want to apply in your life. I think you will find it is filled with very useful insights into the humans that surround you, and, perhaps, even into yourself. My advice? Buy it and read it. You can ignore anything that offends you.
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Summary: Belongs with the Bible, 'The Prince', and 'The Art of War'
Review: This book should reside next to your Bible, Sun Tzu's "The Art of War", and Macchiavelli's "The Prince". Like 'War' and 'Prince' (and some parts of the Bible), Gracian's thoughts can seem a bit too tough, at times. Don't be put off by that. Like all operating manuals, not all of it fits every person's situation. What you will find is a well-written set of directions, some of which you will want to apply in your life. I think you will find it is filled with very useful insights into the humans that surround you, and, perhaps, even into yourself. My advice? Buy it and read it. You can ignore anything that offends you.
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Summary: I love this book---one of my favorites.
Review: When I started to read this book I did not want to put it down. But this book is not meant to be read in one sitting, allowing the reader time to reflect on the art of life. Gracian's use of words in these aphorisms hit the mark; though he may seem cynical, at this day and age one can easily embrace his views about everyday dealings with mankind, not always easy, requiring a delicate balance of patience that is needed most when the supply seems to have run out. He reminds us of how human we all are. It is hard to pick out a favorite, so here is a sample: "A man who can wait, for it marks a great heart endowed with patience; never to be in undue haste or excited. Be first the master of yourself, and you will thereafter be the master of others; one must journey far through time to get to the core of anything. A prudent waiting brings season to accomplishment and ripeness to what is hidden... God himself does not tame with a whip, but with time..." A must for anyone interested or studying philosophy, principles of living.
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Summary: The best strategy book of all time
Review: You may notice that i revied the "Shamabla Pocket Classic" version of this with 3 stars. Well this translation is so much better. This book tells you exact things to do in your every day live to become a more perfect person. I love this book more than the "Art of War" and "The Prince" for one reason, this is more practical to every day life, and not to ruling a nation.
Rating:
Summary: The best strategy book of all time
Review: You may notice that i revied the "Shamabla Pocket Classic" version of this with 3 stars. Well this translation is so much better. This book tells you exact things to do in your every day live to become a more perfect person. I love this book more than the "Art of War" and "The Prince" for one reason, this is more practical to every day life, and not to ruling a nation.
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