Don Juan Manuel was a very important figure of the Spanish Middle Ages. Today we will discover some of the phrases that this writer, who lived between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, left us.
Last update: 14 September, 2022
Don Juan Manuel (also known as Giovanni Emanuele of Castile) was a writer considered to be the first representative of medieval Spanish fiction in prose. We have selected some of Don Juan Manuel's most famous phrases that reveal his way of thinking.
Before introducing them to you, we want to tell you that Don Juan Manuel was the tutor of King Alfonso XI. Although he was the author of many works, one stands out above all: El conde Lucanor.
The sentences of Don Juan Manuel that we present have been adapted to the current Spanish and then translated. However, the syntax and the lexicon recall a typically medieval way of writing. This is because the writer was born and lived between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
5 factions in Don Juan Manuel
1. The advantages of some friendships according to Don Juan Manuel
"By the words and deeds of some liars, don't ruin your friendship with strong men."
This first sentence of Don Juan Manuel is a clear and direct criticism of people who lie. Those who use lies in a systematic way do so because they want to hurt or because they feel great envy towards others. In this case, as the author defines them, against “strong” men.
The consequences of this way of acting often lead to the transmission of "truths" that are not such, damaging the reputation or our opinion of people we consider friends. For this reason, Don Juan Manuel suggests that we be very careful with what we are told.
2. Get away from fantasies
"You can trust certain realities, but you have to move away from fantasies."
The things we tend to believe quite frequently are what Don Juan Manuel calls fantasies. It's like when we daydream or indulge in romantic dreams. The result is usually a complete disconnection from reality.
However, we might ask ourselves: "How do I know which realities are certain?". This is not told to us by Don Juan Manuel. Each of us has a completely different perception of reality based on personal experiences, and all of them are valid.
3. Do what you want, without fear
"For fear of criticism, as long as you don't hurt anyone, don't stop doing what makes you feel good."
We could say, without fear of making a mistake, that fear is one of the great evils of the age in which we live. This paralyzing emotion was already present in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Fear of what people may say and criticism distracts us from what we want to do.
This, among the phrases of Don Juan Manuel, reminds us that we should not focus so much on what others say, but on our actions. If we are not doing anything wrong or wrong, we have to move on. Otherwise, in the future, we will end up regretting not being resolute anymore.
4. Beware of alcohol abuse
"Wine is very virtuous, but badly used is harmful"
This sentence is very funny and curious. We all know that, when consumed moderately, wine is not harmful to health and this is precisely the crux of the matter: the writer warns us about alcohol abuse, improper or unregulated consumption.
This advice can also apply to other aspects of our life. All excesses can cause more harm than good. In reality it is not the wine that is "bad", it is our actions that make it so.
5. Don Juan Manuel's phrases: praise can hide deceptions
"Whoever praises you more than you deserve, wants to deceive you"
Don Juan Manuel's last sentence warns us to pay attention to the exaggerated compliments of some people. The author warns us that, although everyone likes to receive compliments, in some cases they could hide ulterior motives.
Always be careful because people may have other intentions. For example, getting a favor or manipulating us. Always check if the compliments received are sincere or not.
Did you know Don Juan Manuel? Have you ever read El Conde Lucanor? We sincerely hope that these phrases have allowed you to get closer to the thought of this important medieval writer. Surely they will have prompted you to reflect on some problems.
