Written over 350 years ago, The Pocket Oracle and Art of Prudence is a subtle collection of 300 witty and thought-provoking aphorisms. From the art of being lucky to the healthy use of caution, these elegant maxims were created as a guide to life, with further suggestions given on cultivating good taste, knowing how to refuse, the foolishness of complaining and the wisdom of controlling one's passions. Baltasar Gracißn intended these ingenious, pragmatic aphorisms to challenge the mind, and recognised that few would be capable of applying them.<BR><BR>In Jeremy Robbins's introduction to his new translation, he examines Gracißn's place in Spanish literature and his previous works. Robbins also looks at the themes, contexts and contradictions of The Pocket Oracle, as well as the brevity and subtlety of Gracißn's cool-headed aphorisms. This edition also contains a chronology, suggested further reading and notes.