A Pocket Mirror for Heroes is a mirror because it reflects "the person you are or the one you ought to be." It is a pocket mirror because its author took the time to be brief.  And it is a mirror for heroes because it provides a vivid image of ethical and moral perfection to which all can aspire.   The Art of Worldly Wisdom by Baltasar Gracian was all but forgotten for three hundred years, until its republication in 1992 turned this lost classic into a New York Times   bestseller.  Now Gracian, the Spanish Jesuit considered Machiavelli's better in strategy and insight, sets a new standard on the art of living and the practice of achieving.  That new standard is the art of heroism--how to be "the consummate person, ripe and perfect: accurate in judgment, mature in taste, attentive in listening, wise in sayings, shrewd in deeds, the center of all perfection." Gracian teaches the reader to be "a giant"--"the greatest person possible, a miracle of perfection, a king." Wit, wisdom, courage, elegance, grace, humility, spontaneity--these are the qualities needed to reach heroism in any occupation.  But it is not enough to be wise or graceful: one must learn as well how to manage that talent, how to distinguish a quality fiom its shadow. A Pocket Mirror for Heroes provides "a politics for governing oneself, a compass for sailing toward excellence, an art for reaching distinction with just a few rules of discretion," and it will be wise and witty company for anyone who recognizes--and relishes--the challenges of daily life. et Mirror for Heroes is a mirror because it reflects "the person you are or the one you ought to be." It is a pocket mirror because its author took the time to be brief. And it is a mirror for heroes because it provides a vivid image of ethical and moral perfection to which all can aspire. The Art of Worldly Wisdom by Baltasar Gracian was all but forgotten for three hundred years, until its republication in 1992 turned this lost classic into a New York Times bestseller. Now Gracian, the Spanish Jesuit considered Machiavelli's better in strategy and insight, sets a new standard on the art of living and the practice of achieving. That new standard is the art of heroism--how to be "the consummate person, ripe and perfect: accurate in judgment, mature in taste, attentive in listening, wise in sayings, shrewd in deeds, the center of all perfection." Gracian teaches the reader to be " et Mirror for Heroes is a mirror because it reflects "the person you are or the one you ought to be." It is a pocket mirror because its author took the time to be brief.  And it is a mirror for heroes because it provides a vivid image of ethical and moral perfection to which all can aspire.   The Art of Worldly Wisdom by Baltasar Gracian was all but forgotten for three hundred years, until its republication in 1992 turned this lost classic into a New York Times   bestseller.  Now Gracian, the Spanish Jesuit considered Machiavelli's better in strategy and insight, sets a new standard on the art of living and the practice of achieving.  That new standard is the art of heroism--how to be "the consummate person, ripe and perfect: accurate in judgment, mature in taste, attentive in listening, wise in sayings, shrewd in deeds, the center of all perfection." Gracian teaches the reader to be " TO THE READER How singular I want you to be! With a book that is a dwarf I want to make a Giant.   In the shortest of sayings set down immortal deeds.   I will try to make you the Greatest person possible, a miracle of perfection, a king,  if not by birth, by deeds. Seneca formed a prudent person.   Aesop a shrewd one.   Homer a warrior. Aristotle a philosopher.   Tacitus a statesman.   And Castiglione a courtier. Copying some of the choicest parts of these Great Masters I intend to sketch out a hero, a universal prodigy.   That is why I made this pocket mirror from the glass of others and my own fragile nature.   At times it will delight you, at others counsel and instruct.   In it you will recognize the person you are or the one you ought to be. You will find here a book neither of statecraft nor of economics but a politics for Governing yourself, a compass for sailing toward excellence, an art for reaching distinction with just a few rules of discretion. I write in brief because your understanding is large.   My words are as short as the subject is long.   But let me not detain you: go forward. BORN TO RULE This chapter covers a gift so subtle it would vanish into thin air were it not held fast by attentive curiosity. In some people there shines an innate sense of leadership, a secret source of dominion that sparks obedience in others without need for orders and without the art of persuasion. When Caesar was the captive of the island pirates, he was most their master. Conquered, he commanded; conquerors, they obeyed.  He was captive only in ceremony, and master in the reality of his leadership. People