The above quote of Baltasar Gracian was a Thought of the Day recently. Sometimes the Thoughts are interesting, but straightforward. We know what the authors are talking about. We read them and move on. This one though, has a secret. It says there is a skill that is an ability to guide our luck. Who knew? What would such a skill consist of?
The quote comes from Baltasar Gracian’s The Art of Worldly Wisdom. Gracian was a 17th century Spanish Jesuit priest who had some difficulties with obedience to authority. The Art of Worldly Wisdom, or Oráculo manual y arte de prudencia in the original Spanish, is a collection of 300 aphorisms with commentary.
Translation is a tricky business. One translator will use the word “luck” and another will use the term “good fortune.” One will say luck is “assisted by care” another will say “it is helped along by effort. “ The same aphorism will be titled “The Art of being Lucky,” “The Art for being fortunate” and “The Art of Success.” This can be frustrating if we try to get to the real meaning of the work, but in this case, Gracian has called his work an “Oracle.” Our job, if we care to do it, is to tease out the meaning so that it works for us.
Gracian suggests that you can wait for good fortune and with good timing make your move. Or better yet, you can press forward using your cleverness and boldness. In either case, virtue and insight or attention are key. He says in essence, that whether you are lucky or unlucky depends upon your wisdom/prudence or lack of it.
Browsing through these aphorisms and contemplating the nature of luck, these thoughts come to mind:
Good fortune is not random. It helps to know how things work. Curiosity and willingness to explore and learn help us to know. They may allow us to be in the right place at the right time. Positive expectancy prepares us to be ready when fortune’s door opens. Attention is required to notice that the door is opening. When the time is right, one must take action. In order to act effectively, one must have developed the necessary skills to do what is needed. Getting to know and being on good terms with people who can help is valuable. It is worthwhile to pay attention to what the wise do. When in doubt, do like they do. Be willing to stop or retreat when the time is not right for action. And we would add, figure out what influences hold you back and deal with them.
If we boil it down, the essence can be found in two words, “Attention” and “Wisdom,” if we assume that attention includes timing and wisdom includes virtue and discernment. Attention and wisdom seem to be the keys to success whether one is on a quest for success in the material realm or in the spiritual and psychological domains.
May we hone our skills of calm attention that we may allow our wisdom to reveal itself.
© 2010-2014 Tom Barrett