The best thing about reading aphorisms is that they are essentially words of wisdom originating from first principles thinking. The advice within is almost always impossible to disagree with, derived from experience with man and nature and therefore indispensably true. Reading them allows us to restructure our thinking along its guidelines as we acknowledge the underlying source of truth behind its words.
Reading an entire book of aphorisms however was harder than I imagined, especially so when the book is as compelling as this one was. The most apt way to describe way is to – bear with me – imagine a plate of food.
With a standard meal, there are a good amount of sides to complement the star of the dish. They work to provide a break from the main item and give the palate a chance to rest. A book like this however, feels like a plate full of many, many main meals. No sides. Each mouthful is heavy and requires digestion while another spoon is prepared right behind it. Practically, this meant that I couldn’t read this book for long stretches at a time, and the rare occasion where I tried to do so, I felt myself unable to chew upon the wisdom within and give the aphorisms enough time to appreciate their value.
This doesn’t take away from the book itself however, it remains full of countless nuggets of wisdom. Even within the same chapter/page, there are multiple sentences which shine so brightly with wisdom that I would not be surprised if many modern authors adapted them to turn into chapters in their own right.
Considering that this book was written in the 17th century, I noted how all the ideas within are timeless. I recognised so many popular contemporary ideas in this writing and I am sure even older writings and teaching exist predating this. How true it is that everything has truly been said, experienced and taught before!
That being said, there is no book that is without its flaws and ‘The Art of Worldly Wisdom’ is no exception. Chapter 149 for example encourages the following:
“Having someone else take the blame for failure and be the butt of gossip does not spring from a lack of ability, as malice thinks, but from superior skill. Not everything can turn out well, and you can’t please everyone. So look for a scapegoat, someone whose own ambition will make him a good target.”
Only in the most ruthless parts of the world of business might this sound like justified advice, but even then, would the honourable, decent man seek to find someone else to blame for his own actions? I found this and other chapters like it to contradict the general spirit of the rest of the book to remain virtuous, gallant and honourable at all times. Thankfully, these lapses in judgement were far and few inbetween and I attributed them to the personal quirks of the author which no man is free from.
Considering the amount of practical life advice in this book, I would suggest that it is best read in a detached manner. Reading it in a prolonged, concentrated sitting seems to be counter productive, rather, it is best consumed in short bursts, perhaps as left around the house on a coffee table left as the subject of passive curiosity. This is not to denigrate the book or its contents, but to give the reader enough time and occasion to take in what he might read within.
A book like this has something for everyone and leaves me wondering at how intense and rich some of the lives others must have lived in order to provide us with such wisdom based on experience.
The chapters are brief but the wisdom is deep. If you have this book lying around, you will not regret it. Some of the words within will have you thinking for days.
I myself finish this review with the words from within it that affected me the most and which, despite its brevity, I believe contains multitudes:
“To each the dignity that befits him”