~Sprezzatura~ : Baldassare Castiglione

Sprezzatura 

is so untranslatable you may hear it used in English.

This Italian word, 
popularized by Renaissance man of manners 

Baldassare Castiglione

in his "Book of the Courtier", 

The best English definition so far uses seemingly paradoxical words !!!: 

"studied carelessness" 

or 

"well-faked nonchalance" 

Castiglione considered it essential to any true gentleman: 

"I have found quite a universal rule 

which in this matter seems to me valid above all other," 

"and in all human affairs whether in word or deed:

 and that is... 

to practice in all things a certain sprezzatura, 

so as to conceal all art

 and make whatever is done or said appear to be 

without effort 

and almost without any thought about it."

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