Swiss poet & physiognomist (1741-1801)
Call him wise whose actions, words, and steps, are all a clear because to a clear why.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Can he love truth who can take a knave to his bosom?
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The loss of taste for what is right is loss of all right taste.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who has a daring eye tells downright truths and downright lies.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who trades in contradictions will not be contradicted.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who values gold above all, considers all else as trifling.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Calmness of will is a sign of grandeur.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Neatness begets order; but from order to taste there is the same difference as from taste to genius, or from love to friendship.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Say not you know another entirely till you have divided an inheritance with him.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Trust him little who praises all, him less who censures all, and him least who is indifferent about all.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
attributed, Wise Words and Quotes
As man's love or hatred, so he. Love and hatred exist only personified.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Existence is self-enjoyment, by means of some object distinct from ourselves.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who cuts is easily wounded. The readier you are to offend the sooner you are offended.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Before thou callest a man hero or genius, investigate whether his exertion has features of indelibility; for all that is celestial, all genius, is the offspring of immortality.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Decided ends are sure signs of a decided character.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who knows whence he comes, where he is, and whither he tends, he, and he alone, is wise.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
If you see one cold and vehement at the same time, set him down for a fanatic.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
True genius repeats itself forever, and never repeats itself--one ever varied sense beams novelty and unity on all.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
You can depend on no man, on no friend, but him who can depend on himself.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
A single spark of occasion discharges the child of passions into a thousand crackers of desire.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man