Gotthold Ephraim Lessing quotes - page 2

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing was a German writer, philosopher, and dramatist, considered one of the most outstanding representatives of the Enlightenment. His works promoted religious tolerance, freedom of thought, and the ideals of rationalism. He is remembered for influential plays such as "Nathan the Wise" and for shaping German literature and criticism. Here are 30 of his quotes:

Precisely the way on which the species reaches its perfection, every individual human being (one earlier, one later) must have traversed, too.

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Lessing directs here, for the modern English author, see Doris Lessing.

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

The most deadly fruit is borne by the hatred which one grafts on an extinguished friendship.

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

The true value of a man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth. It is not possession of the Truth, but rather the pursuit of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectibility is to be found. Possession makes one passive, indolent, and proud. If God were to hold all Truth concealed in his right hand, and in his left only the steady and diligent drive for Truth, albeit with the proviso that I would always and forever err in the process, and offer me the choice, I would with all humility take the left hand, and say: Father, I will take this one-the pure Truth is for You alone.

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing