JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER QUOTES
Swiss poet & physiognomist (1741-1801)
The discovery of truth, by slow progressive meditation, is wisdom.--Intuition of truth, not preceded by perceptible meditation, is genius.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
He who always prefaces his tale with laughter, is poised between impertinence and folly.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
attributed, Day's Collacon
Where there is much pretension, much has been borrowed: nature never pretends.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
attributed, Mental Recreation; or, Select Maxims
He alone is a man, who can resist the genius of the age, the tone of fashion, with vigorous simplicity and modest courage.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
All affectation is the vain and ridiculous attempt of poverty to appear rich.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The friend of order has made half his way to virtue.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Know in the first place, that mankind agree in essence, as they do in limbs and senses.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who, under pressing temptations to lie, adheres to truth, nor to the profane betrays aught of a sacred trust, is near the summit of wisdom and virtue.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Weaknesses, so called, are nothing more nor less than vices in disguise.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
attributed, Day's Collacon
The humblest star twinkles most in the darkest night.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Be certain that he who has betrayed thee once will betray thee again.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who seldom speaks, and with one calm well-timed word can strike dumb the loquacious--is a genius or a hero.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Each particle of matter is an immensity, each leaf a world, each insect an inexplicable compendium.
JOHANN CASPAR LAVATER
Physiognomy
A great passion has no partner.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who is open without levity; generous without waste; secret without craft; humble without meanness; bold without insolence; cautious without anxiety; regular, yet not formal; mild, yet not timid; firm, yet not tyrannical--is made to pass the ordeal of honor, friendship, virtue.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
He knows not how to speak who cannot be silent.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Man is forever the same; the same under every form, in all situations and relations that admit of free and unrestrained exertion. The same regard which you have for yourself, you have for others, for nature, for the invisible ... which you call God.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The more uniform a man's voice, step, manner of conversation, handwriting--the more quiet, uniform, settled, his actions, his character.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The procrastinator is not only indolent and weak, but commonly false too.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
attributed, Day's Collacon
Whenever a man undergoes a considerable change, in consequence of being observed by others, whenever he assumes another gait, another language, than what he had before he thought himself observed, be advised to guard yourself against him.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man