Johann Kaspar LavaterInjustice arises either from precipitation, or indolence, or from a mixture of both. - The rapid and slow are seldom just; the unjust wait either not at all, or wait too long.361Time
Johann Kaspar LavaterHave you ever seen a pedant with a warm heart? ✨ Aphorisms on Man. Book by Johann Kaspar Lavater, No. 260, 1788.331LoveReading
Johann Kaspar LavaterYou may depend upon it that he is a good man whose intimate friends are all good, and whose enemies are decidedly bad.375Love
Johann Kaspar LavaterIt is a poor wit who lives by borrowing the words, decisions, mien, inventions and actions of others.343Truth
Johann Kaspar LavaterTo realize that you were mistaken, is just the acknowledgement , that you are wiser today than you were yesterday.377Truth
Johann Kaspar LavaterLet none turn over books, or roam the stars in quest of God, who sees him not in man. ✨ Aphorisms on Man. Book by Johann Kaspar Lavater, No. 398, 1788.345Reading
Johann Kaspar LavaterThere are three classes of men; the retrograde, the stationary and the progressive.346Truth
Johann Kaspar LavaterThe worst of faces still is human.324Humanity
Johann Kaspar LavaterHe, who cannot forgive a trespass of malice to his enemy, has never yet tasted the most sublime enjoyment of love.379Love
Johann Kaspar LavaterHe who reforms himself has done more towards reforming the public than a crowd or noisy, impotent patriots.313Truth
Johann Kaspar LavaterThe manner of giving shows the character of the giver, more than the gift itself.281Hope
Johann Kaspar LavaterWhen you doubt between words, use the plainest, the commonest, the most idiomatic. Eschew fine words as you would rouge; love simple ones as you would the native roses on your che… ▶347Love
Johann Kaspar LavaterHe is incapable of a truly good action who finds not a pleasure in contemplating the good actions of others.3610Love
Johann Kaspar LavaterThe jealous are possessed by a mad devil and a dull spirit at the same time.282Time
Johann Kaspar LavaterHe who sedulously attends, pointedly asks, calmly speaks, coolly answers and ceases when he has no more to say is in possession of some of the best requisites of man337Reflection
Johann Kaspar LavaterHe who purposely cheats his friend would cheat his God.348Humanity
Johann Kaspar LavaterHe whose pride oppresses the humble may perhaps be humbled, but will never be humble. ✨ Aphorisms on man. Translated from the original manuscript of the Rev. John Caspar Lav… ▶338Reflection
Johann Kaspar LavaterSay not you know another entirely till you have divided an inheritance with him. ✨ Aphorisms on Man no. 157 (ca. 1788)338Sadness
Johann Kaspar LavaterDon't speak evil of someone if you don't know for certain, and if you do know ask yourself, why am I telling it?263Thought
Johann Kaspar LavaterI 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 nobl… ▶252HopeHumanity
Johann Kaspar LavaterThe 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 con… ▶241Reflection
Johann Kaspar LavaterThe generous person is always just, and the just who is always generous may, unannounced, approach the throne of heaven.318Reflection
Johann Kaspar LavaterHim, who incessantly laughs in the street, you may commonly hear grumbling in his closet. ✨ Aphorisms on Man by Johann Kaspar Lavater, (c. 1788).264Humor
Johann Kaspar LavaterWhat do I owe to my times, to my country, to my neighbors, to my friends? Such are the questions which a virtuous man ought often to ask himself.287Time
Johann Kaspar LavaterConscience is the sentinel of virtue.265Reading
Johann Kaspar LavaterTake here the grand secret; if not of pleasing all, yet of displeasing none, and court mediocrity, avoid originality, and sacrifice to fashion.243Thought
Johann Kaspar LavaterHe 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. … ▶277Truth
Johann Kaspar LavaterThere 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… ▶244Hope
Johann Kaspar LavaterHe who freely praises what he means to purchase, and he who enumerates the faults of what he means to sell, may set up a partnership with honesty.256Truth
Johann Kaspar LavaterFools learn nothing from wise men, but wise men learn much from fools.267Humanity
