This dissertation aims an investigation of two texts of the Spanish s author Baltasar Gracián: El Discreto and Arte da Prudência, which original title is Oráculo manual e Arte da Prudência. Based at the reading of both works are delineated some particularities of Filipe s IV absolutist monarchy. Valours and concepts as ingeniousness, discernment and etiquette, which were presents at the life of court s man, are recapturing here to develop the investigation and contribute at the understanding of the society s life during the 17th century. For the best exploitation of the texts, is established a debate about the different concepts of baroque, which were created at different moments by distinct authors. Is based on the comprehension of the Discreto and baroque s characteristics that it is possible to conclude the importance of the selective texts, not only for the Spanish society, but also for the others courts of the western Europe. So, the Gracián s texts have a fundamental importance to portray the Spanish monarchy of the 17th century and the men who formatted it.