Five Quotes From Don Juan Manuel
Don Juan Manuel was a writer who lived in the Middle Ages. Many consider him the first representative of medieval prose fiction. In this article, we would like to bring together some of the most important quotes from Don Juan Manuel. It is the quotes that most reveal his way of thinking.
However, before going into further detail, it is important to mention that Don Juan Manuel was the mentor of King Alfonso XI. He is also the author of several works. Yet there is one work that stands out above all others: The Stories of Count Lucanor.
The quotes from Don Juan Manuel that we will show here were written in ancient Spanish. They have been translated into contemporary Dutch. Yet they can still sound old.
1. Don Juan Manuel on the benefits of some friendships
This first quote from Don Juan Manuel is a clear and direct critique of those who lie. He is talking about those people who systematically lie because they want to hurt someone. Or because they feel great envy towards others. For example, as the author calls them the good men in this quote.
The consequences of this are that often half – truths are spread. In addition, they can damage the reputation or point of view we have of some people we consider friends. For that reason, Don Juan Manuel warns us to be careful of gossip and lies.
2. Distance yourself from fantasies
We regularly fall into the fantasies that Don Juan Manuel refers to. We can also describe one of them as daydreaming or getting carried away by romantic ideas. As a result, it is usually a complete disconnect from reality.
However, you may be wondering how we can distinguish real realities from fantasies. Well, Don Juan Manuel didn’t explain this. Moreover, it would be impossible. Each of us has a completely different perception of reality. This is mainly because this is based on our experiences. And all our experiences are valid.
3. Do what you want without fear
We can say that fear is one of the greatest evils of our contemporary age. Of course, this paralyzing emotion was already present in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The fear of what others will say and the criticism hold us back from doing what we want. This fear is evil.
This third quote from Don Juan Manuel is a reminder that we should not pay so much attention to what others say or observe about us or about our actions.
If we are convinced that we are not doing anything bad, then we must keep going. If we don’t, we’ll end up regretting not being more assertive in the not-so-distant future.
4. Don Juan Manuel on the abuse of alcohol
We are all well aware that wine is not harmful to health when consumed in moderation. However, this is exactly what the writer warns us about. It is a mistake to abuse or lose control of alcohol.
Of course, we can apply this same idea to other areas of our lives. That’s because anything in excess will end up doing us more harm than good. If we follow the example in this quote, wine is not really harmful. The loss of control over it is.
5. Praises Can Hide Deceit
We end with this quote from Don Juan Manuel. It warns us to pay attention to the excessive flattery we receive. Of course, we all love to hear nice things about ourselves. However, there are many instances where the motives behind the flattery are deceptive, as the author also points out.
What then does Don Juan Manuel mean by deceit? There may be motives behind other people’s praises. For example, they may want something in return or they may manipulate us. So pay close attention. You know very well when certain compliments are true or not.
Did you ever hear of Don Juan Manuel before today? Have you read The Stories of Count Lucanor ? Did these quotes bring you closer to the values that were important in the Middle Ages? They must have helped you to think about some things. Which quote is your favorite?
