The Art of Worldly Wisdom

These texts, written in the 17th-century by a worldly Jesuit, retain their relevance by addressing issues such as effective communication, leadership and managing emotions. Emphasizing strategy above ethics, the readings yet stress that the true path of excellence begins with self-perfection.
This perennially popular book of advice on how to achieve personal and professional success is valued for its timeless insights on how to make one's way in the world. Written in the seventeenth century by a Spanish Jesuit scholar, these teachings are strikingly modern in tone and address universal concerns such as friendship, morality, managing emotions, and effective leadership. The Art of Worldly Wisdom is for anyone seeking to combine ethical behavior with worldly success. This edition of The Art of Worldly Wisdom includes an informative introduction by Willis Barnstone, Distinguished Professor of Spanish and Comparative Literature at Indiana University. Barnstone, a noted translator, critic, and poet, explores Gracian's background and places him within his historical and literary context.