Georg Christoph Lichtenberg Quotes

If countries were named after the words you first hear when you go there, England would have to be called Damn It.

If it is permissible to write plays that are not intended to be seen, I should like to see who can prevent me from writing a book no one can read.

A on his lips and not-A in his heart.

We do not think good metaphors are anything very important, but I think that a good metaphor is something even the police should keep an eye on...

With a pen in my hand I have successfully stormed bulwarks from which others armed with sword and excommunication have been repulsed.

Good taste is either that which agrees with my taste or that which subjects itself to the rule of reason. From this we can see how useful it is to employ reason in seeking out the laws of taste.

Do we write books so that they shall merely be read? Don't we also write them for employment in the household? For one that is read from start to finish, thousands are leafed through, other thousands lie motionless, others are jammed against mouseholes, thrown at rats, others are stood on, sat on, drummed on, have gingerbread baked on them or are used to light pipes.

There are people who believe everything is sane and sensible that is done with a solemn face. … It is no great art to say something briefly when, like Tacitus, one has something to say; when one has nothing to say, however, and none the less writes a whole book and makes truth … into a liar — that I call an achievement.

The great rule: If the little bit you have is nothing special in itself, at least find a way of saying it that is a little bit special.

As I take up my pen I feel myself so full, so equal to my subject, and see my book so clearly before me in embryo, I would almost like to try to say it all in a single word.

A book is a mirror: if an ape looks into it an apostle is hardly likely to look out. We have no words for speaking of wisdom to the stupid. He who understands the wise is wise already.

Be wary of passing the judgment: obscure. To find something obscure poses no difficulty: elephants and poodles find many things obscure.

Courage, garrulousness and the mob are on our side. What more do we want?

A handful of soldiers is always better than a mouthful of arguments.

Nothing can contribute more to peace of soul than the lack of any opinion whatever.