Swiss poet & physiognomist (1741-1801)
Who despises all that is despicable is made to be impressed with all that is grand.
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
Trust him with none of thy individualities who is, or pretends to be, two things at once.
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
Dread more the blunderer's friendship than the calumniator's enmity.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The more unharmonious and inconsistent your objects of desire, the more inconsequent, inconstant, unquiet, the more ignoble, idiotical, and criminal yourself.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who recollects distinctly his past adventures, knows his destiny to come.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The immoderate cannot laugh moderately.
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
Who cuts is easily wounded. The readier you are to offend the sooner you are offended.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The greatest of characters, no doubt, would be he, who, free of all trifling accidental helps, could see objects through one grand immutable medium, always at hand, and proof against illusion and time, reflecting every object in its true shape and color through all the fluctuation of things.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Him, who incessantly laughs in the street, you may commonly hear grumbling in his closet.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
There are many kinds of smiles, each having a distinct character; some announce goodness and sweetness, others betray sarcasm, bitterness, and pride; some soften the countenance by their languishing tenderness, others brighten by their spiritual vivacity. A beautiful smile is to the female countenance what the sunbeam is to the landscape; it embellishes an inferior face and redeems an ugly one.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
attributed, Day's Collacon
Who in the same given time can produce more than many others, has vigour; who can produce more and better, has talents; who can produce what none else can, has genius.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
What affects useless singularities has surely a little mind.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
He scatters enjoyment who can enjoy much.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Wishes run over in loquacious impotence, will presses on with laconic energy.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The wrath that on conviction subsides into mildness, is the wrath of a generous mind.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Trust not him with your secrets, who, when left alone in your room, turns over your papers.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Three things characterize man: person, fate, merit--the harmony of these constitutes real grandeur.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man