JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER QUOTES II

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

Tags: purpose


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


Can he love truth who can take a knave to his bosom?

JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER

Aphorisms on Man

Tags: truth


Who trades in contradictions will not be contradicted.

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

Tags: money


Who values gold above all, considers all else as trifling.

JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER

Aphorisms on Man

Tags: gold


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


Who knows whence he comes, where he is, and whither he tends, he, and he alone, is wise.

JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER

Aphorisms on Man

Tags: wisdom


As man's love or hatred, so he. Love and hatred exist only personified.

JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER

Aphorisms on Man


Calmness of will is a sign of grandeur.

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


Existence is self-enjoyment, by means of some object distinct from ourselves.

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

Tags: passion


Indiscretion, rashness, falsehood, levity, and malice, produce each other.

JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER

Aphorisms on Man


Who begins with severity, in judging of another, ends commonly with falsehood.

JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER

Aphorisms on Man


Decided ends are sure signs of a decided character.

JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER

Aphorisms on Man

Tags: character


The acquisition of will, for one thing exclusively, presupposes entire acquaintance with many others.

JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER

Aphorisms on Man


The quicker, the louder, the applause with which another tries to gain you over to his purpose--the bitterer his censure if he miss his aim.

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

Tags: genius