📿 The Art of Being Lucky
This week’s weekend meditation comes from The Art of Wordly Wisdom by Baltasar Gracián (1601—1658). Gracián was a Spanish Jesuit and Baroque prose writer and philosopher. This short book is similar in style to the Enchiridion by Epictetus. It consists of three hundred short meditations (or paragraphs).
Gracián writes,
There are rules of luck: it is not all chance with the wise: it can be assisted by care. Some content themselves with placing themselves confidently at the gate of Fortune, waiting till she opens it. Others do better, and press forward and profit by their clever boldness, reaching the goddess and winning her favor on the wings of their virtue and valour. But on a true philosophy there is no other umpire than virtue and insight; for these there is no luck or ill-luck except wisdom and the reverse.
Contemplation Questions (Pick one or create your own!):
What does Gracián mean by “there is no luck or ill luck… ?”
How does wisdom connect with luck?
This Week’s Meditations…
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Thank you for reading/listening this week; I hope you found something useful.
Until next time, be wise and be well,
J.W.
P.S. Feel free to comment, ask questions, or make suggestions!