This paper analyses both fatigue & fracture crack paths generated by manufacturing-induced microstructural & strength anisotropy in cold drawn pearlitic steels, on the basis of their microstructural evolution during manufacturing by multi-step cold drawing that produces slenderizing and orientation of the pearlitic colonies, together with densification and orientation of the Fe/Fe3C lamellae, reviewing previous research by the author and co-workers on fracture behaviour in inert and aggressive environments in the presence of crack and notches, with focus on hydrogen embrittlement. Results demonstrate the key role of manufacturing-induced microstructural anisotropy (orientation of the two microstructural levels of pearlitic colonies and ferrite/cementite lamellae as a consequence of the progressive/repetitive cold drawing) in the fatigue & fracture crack paths, thus producing crack path deflection/deviation/branching with mixed-mode crack growth and associated anisotropy of fatigue & fracture resistance and its linked anisotropic fatigue & fracture behaviour (strength anisotropy), allowing the definition of a directional toughness depending on the specific crack path with its propagation direction. From the point of view of the analysed material (progressively cold drawn pearlitic steel, a hierarchically structured material with colonies and lamellae), the present scientific work is related to the conceptual frame of Maurits Cornelis Escher and Johann Sebastian Bach. In addition, the paper represents an Orteguian approach (on the basis of the circumstance formulated by José Ortega y Gasset) to the problem of fatigue & fracture of progressively cold drawn pearlitic steel and a tribute to Fray Luis de León´s “decíamos ayer”.