Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

Germany
1 Jul 1742 // 24 Feb 1799
Scientist / Writer

Quotes

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Never undertake anything for which you wouldn't have the courage to ask the blessings of heaven
It not seldom happens that in the purposeless rovings and wanderings of the imagination we hunt down such game as can be put to use by our purposeful philosophy in its well-ordered household
It is a sure evidence of a good book if it pleases us more and more as we grow older
It is a golden rule not to judge men by their opinions but rather by what their opinions make of them
If moderation is a fault then indifference is a crime
If all mankind were suddenly to practice honesty, many thousands of people would be sure to starve
Everyone is a genius at least once a year; a real genius has his original ideas closer together
Delicacy in woman is strength
As nations improve, so do their gods
An hour-glass is a reminder not only of time's quick flight, but also of the dust to which we must at last return
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On Anger: "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
Essays
On Destiny: "Our destiny exercises its influence over us even when, as yet, we have not learned its nature: it is our future that lays down the law of our today."
Human, All Too Human
On Friendship: "A crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love."
Essays