Famous Johann Kaspar Lavater Quotations

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"He who seldom speaks, and with one calm well-timed word can strike dumb the loquacious, is a genius or a hero."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"A sneer is often the sign of heartless malignity."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"I am prejudiced in favor of him who, without impudence, can ask boldly. He has faith in humanity, and faith in himself. No one who is not accustomed to giving grandly can ask nobly and with boldness."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"It is a poor wit who lives by borrowing the words, decisions, inventions and actions of others."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"Kiss the hand of him who can renounce what he has publicly taught, when convicted of his error and who, with heartfelt joy, embraces the truth, though with the sacrifice of favorite opinions."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"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."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"Who makes quick use of the moment is a genius of prudence."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"Action, looks, words, steps, form the alphabet by which you may spell character."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"He can feel no little wants who is in pursuit of grandeur."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"If you see one cold and vehement at the same time, set him down for a fanatic."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"Let none turn over books, or roam the stars in quest of God, who sees him not in man."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"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."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"You may depend upon it that he is a good man whose intimate friends are all good, and whose enemies are decidedly bad."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"Depend on no man, on no friend but him who can depend on himself. He only who acts conscientiously toward himself, will act so toward others."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"Never say you know a man until you have divided an inheritance with him."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"There are three classes of men; the retrograde, the stationary and the progressive."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"He is incapable of truly good action who finds not a pleasure in contemplating the good actions of others."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"He knows very little of mankind who expects, by any facts or reasoning, to convince a determined party man."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater
"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."
by Johann Kaspar Lavater


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