Johann Kaspar Lavater Quotes

Say not you know another entirely, till you have divided an inheritance with him.

Good may be done by the bad — but the good alone can be good.

Who in the same given time can produce more than others has vigor; who can produce more and better, has talents; who can produce what none else can, has genius.

Too much gravity argues a shallow mind.

Venerate four characters: the sanguine, who has checked volatility and the rage for pleasure; the choleric, who has subdued passion and pride; the phlegmatic, emerged from indolence; and the melancholy, who has dismissed avarice, suspicion and asperity.

He who, when called upon to speak a disagreeable truth, tells it boldly and has done, is both bolder and milder than he who nibbles in a low voice, and never ceases nibbling.

Neatness begets order; but from order to taste there is the same difference as from taste to genius, or from love to friendship.

He who makes too much or too little of himself has a false measure for everything.

The prudent see only the difficulties, the bold only the advantages, of a great enterprise; the hero sees both; diminishes the former and makes the latter preponderate, and so conquers.

Him, who incessantly laughs in the street, you may commonly hear grumbling in his closet.

The public seldom forgive twice.

Happy the heart to whom God has given enough strength and courage to suffer for Him, to find happiness in simplicity and the happiness of others.

The more honesty a man has, the less he affects the air of a saint — the affectation of sanctity is a blotch on the face of piety.

Mistrust the man who finds everything good; the man who find everything evil; and more the man who is indifferent to everything.

Who purposely cheats his friend,
would cheat his God.