Baltasar Gracian

Baltasar Gracián (1601–1658) was a Spanish Jesuit priest, Baroque prose writer, and moral philosopher. Born in Belmonte de Gracián, Aragón, he joined the Society of Jesus and became known for a sharp, aphoristic style that distilled practical ethics and political insight. His best-known works include *Oráculo manual y arte de prudencia* (1647), a collection of maxims on prudence and conduct, and the allegorical novel *El Criticón* (1651–1657), often regarded as a major achievement of Spanish Baroque literature. Gracián’s writings influenced later European moralists and remain noted for their concision, wit, and realism.