5 Phrases Of Don Juan Manuel

Don Juan Manuel was a medieval writer who is considered the first representative of medieval prose fiction. For this reason, in this article we have wanted to compile some of the most important phrases of Don Juan Manuel that reveal his way of thinking.

However, before getting fully into this, it is important to note that Don Juan Manuel was the tutor of King Alfonso XI himself. Also, although he is the author of several works, there is one that stands out above all Count Lucanor to which we can briefly approach, thanks to the article Introduction to “Count Lucanor” .

The phrases of Don Juan Manuel that we are going to discover below are adapted to current Spanish. However, we will discover that the syntax or lexicon used is “medieval”. This is because this writer was born and lived during the 13th and 14th centuries.

1. The benefit of some friendships

This first of Don Juan Manuel’s phrases is a clear and direct criticism of people who lie. Well, those who use lies in a systematic way do so because they want to do harm or because they feel great envy towards others. For example, as this author calls them, towards profitable men.

The consequences of this is that, many times, “truths” are transmitted that are not really true and that damage the reputation or the perspective that we could have towards some people that we consider friends. For this reason, Don Juan Manuel intends that attention be paid to this aspect and that great care be taken.

2. Get away from fantasies

Something that we tend to fall into with some frequency is what Don Juan Manuel mentions that they are fantasies. This can also be defined as daydreaming or being carried away by “romantic” daydreams. The result of this is usually a complete disengagement from reality.

However, we may wonder how to know which realities are true? This was not contemplated by Don Juan Manuel, since each of us has a completely different perception of reality based on our experiences and all of them are valid.

3. Do what you want without fear

We could say, without fear of being wrong, that fear is one of the great evils of the time in which we live today. However, this paralyzing emotion was already present in the 13th and 14th centuries. A fear of what they will say and the criticism that makes us stop doing what we want. This is a maladaptive fear, as the article Anxiety and fear: its adaptive value and maladjustments points out .

This third of Don Juan Manuel’s phrases is a reminder that we do not have to pay so much attention to what others say or point out about our actions. If we are not doing any wrong, let’s move on. Otherwise, we will end up regretting in the future for not having been more assertive.

4. Beware of misuse of alcohol

This other of Don Juan Manuel’s phrases is very curious. Well, we are aware that, consumed moderately, wine is not harmful to our health. However, here lies the crux of the matter and it is that this writer warns about its misuse or uncontrolled use.

This can be extrapolated to other areas of our life. Because everything in excess can end up causing us more harm than good. In reality, it is not the wine, following the example set forth in the phrase, that is “bad” but rather our actions that make this so.

5. Praise can hide deception

We end with one last of Don Juan Manuel’s phrases that alerts us to pay attention to those compliments that some close people can give us. Well, although we all like to receive them, in some cases they may be hiding deceptions, as this author points out.

What Don Juan Manuel means by these deceptions is that the praises of other people may have other types of intentions. For example, getting something as a favor being, thus, a form of manipulation. So you have to pay attention and see if these compliments are true or not.

Did you know Don Juan Manuel? Have you read Count Lucanor ? These phrases have allowed you to get a little closer to the way this important writer of the Middle Ages thought. Likewise, they have surely also helped you to reflect on some issues. Which of them did you like the most?