Good things, when short, are twice as good.

Baltasar Gracián (1601–1658), a Spanish Jesuit and major Baroque moralist, is best known for his aphoristic advice on conduct, prudence, and rhetoric. The sentiment “Good things, when short, are twice as good” aligns with his broader preoccupation with discretion and economy of expression—virtues prized in courtly and intellectual culture of 17th‑century Spain. The line is commonly attributed to Gracián in English quotation collections as a maxim about brevity (in speech, writing, and social dealings), reflecting the period’s taste for pointed, memorable sententiae rather than expansive exposition.

The aphorism argues that value is amplified by concision: when something is genuinely good, compressing it preserves its essence while avoiding dilution, boredom, or excess. It can be read as counsel for style (tight prose and speech), for manners (not overstaying one’s welcome), and for judgment (knowing when to stop). The “twice as good” formulation suggests that brevity is not merely an aesthetic preference but a multiplier of effectiveness—clarity, impact, and pleasure increase when superfluous matter is removed. In Gracián’s moral universe, restraint is a form of power: the ability to end at the right moment signals mastery.

1) “Lo bueno, si breve, dos veces bueno.”
2) “Good things, if short, are twice good.”
3) “The good, if brief, is twice good.”