The World of Grandpa Don

WE ARE NOT BORN PERFECT!

Maxim #6 of MAXIMS OF BALTHASAR GRACIÁN states:

"Every day we develop in our personality and in our profession, until we reach the highest point of our completed being, to the full round of our accomplishments and of our excellences.

This is known by the purity of our taste, the clearness of our thought, the maturity of our judgment, and the firmness of our will.  Some never arrive at being complete – something is always lacking.  Others ripen late.  The complete person – wise in speech, prudent in act – is admitted to the familiar intimacy of discreet people and is even sought by them..."

The "Maxims" page is a contribution to this web site by Ron Hartman and I look forward to these pithy gems of wisdom each week as well as Ron's commentary.  In this case, Ron is right on the button when he points out the contrast between Balthasar's idealistic "Maxim" and the reality of life.   These realities of life can be discouraging.

I don't believe that, in the face of these realities, we should give up. It is the "ideal" for which we should strive, ... all the more because the task is so great. It is we who should be the "discrete people" of whom Balthasar speaks. And it is we who should look for like minded people and invite them to our company.

We, of course, must not only develop ourselves, but as we do, we must provide to others a visible example of "the purity of our taste, the clearness of our thought, the maturity of our judgment, and the firmness of our will." We improve the world by our good example and by being a positive influence in our dedication to that improvement.

Balthasar Graci'an wrote in the world of 1637 but considering the lack of progress in three and two third centuries, I think we need him now more than ever as we strive to become ...  "wise in speech, (and) prudent in act".

Balthasar has left the building.

Don Plefka
9/04/03