Johann Kaspar Lavater Quotes

Have you ever seen a pedant with a warm heart?

The craftiest wiles are too short and ragged a cloak to cover a bad heart.

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.

He who has no taste for order will be often wrong in his judgements, and seldom considerate or conscientious in his actions.

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

Too much gravity argues a shallow mind.

I am prejudiced in favour of him who can solicit boldly, without imprudence. He has faith in humanity — he has faith in himself. No one who is not accustomed to give grandly can ask nobly and with boldness.

Who seldom speaks, and with one calm well-timed word can strike dumb the loquacious, is a genius among those who study nature.

The discovery of truth by slow progressive meditation is wisdom. Intuition of truth, not preceded by perceptible meditation, is genius.

Who makes quick use of the moment is a genius of prudence.

You may tell a man, thou art a fiend, but not, your nose wants blowing. To him alone who can bear a thing of that kind, you may tell all.

All affectation is the vain and ridiculous attempt of poverty to appear rich.

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.

Never tell evil of a man, if you do not know it for certainty, and if you know it for a certainty, then ask yourself, 'Why should I tell it?'

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.