“Know how to make use of things.”Baltasar Gracián · Oracolul manual · 1647 · aforismul 11
The value of things lies not in ownership, but in their intelligent use.
Gracián emphasizes that things around you—from physical objects to temporal opportunities—can be turned into advantages. Knowing how to use things means recognizing their hidden value and applying them at the right time. For example, a craftsman uses a simple tool to create something valuable, or an entrepreneur capitalizes on an economic crisis. The mechanism is practical: things have no inherent value, only through how you use them.
Why it matters In daily life, this idea encourages you to be creative with limited resources and see opportunities where others see obstacles.