Georg Christoph Lichtenberg quotes - page 6

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg was a German physicist, satirist, and writer, renowned for his witty aphorisms and contributions to experimental physics. His writings bridged science and philosophy, influencing later generations of thinkers and authors. He is remembered for his sharp intellect, humor, and insightful observations about life and human nature. Here are 174 of his quotes:

The journalists have constructed for themselves a little wooden chapel, which they also call the Temple of Fame, in which they put up and take down portraits all day long and make such a hammering you can't hear yourself speak.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

He was always smoothing and polishing himself, and in the end he became blunt before he was sharp.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

So-called professional mathematicians have, in their reliance on the relative incapacity of the rest of mankind, acquired for themselves a reputation for profundity very similar to the reputation for sanctity possessed by theologians.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

If it were true what in the end would be gained? Nothing but another truth. Is this such a mighty advantage? We have enough old truths still to digest, and even these we would be quite unable to endure if we did not sometimes flavor them with lies.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

Reason now gazes above the realm of the dark but warm feelings as the Alpine peaks do above the clouds. They behold the sun more clearly and distinctly, but they are cold and unfruitful.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

The most successful tempters and thus the most dangerous are the deluded deluders.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

It is said that truth comes from the mouths of fools and children: I wish every good mind which feels an inclination for satire would reflect that the finest satirist always has something of both in him.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

What I do not like about our definitions of genius is that there is in them nothing of the day of judgment, nothing of resounding through eternity and nothing of the footsteps of the Almighty.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

There are two ways of extending life: firstly by moving the two points "born" and "died" farther away from one another... The other method is to go more slowly and leave the two points wherever God wills they should be, and this method is for the philosophers.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

A person reveals his character by nothing so clearly as the joke he resents.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

The "second sight" possessed by the Highlanders in Scotland is actually a foreknowledge of future events. I believe they possess this gift because they don't wear trousers... That is also why in all countries women are more prone to utter prophecies.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

To do just the opposite is also a form of imitation.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

Once the good man was dead, one wore his hat and another his sword as he had worn them, a third had himself barbered as he had, a fourth walked as he did, but the honest man that he was - nobody any longer wanted to be that.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

There are people who believe everything is sane and sensible that is done with a solemn face.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

We often have need of a profound philosophy to restore to our feelings their original state of innocence, to find our way out of the rubble of things alien to us, to begin to feel for ourselves and to speak ourselves, and I might almost say to exist ourselves. Even if my philosophy does not extend to discovering anything new, it does nevertheless possess the courage to regard as questionable what has long been thought true.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

I have written a good number of drafts and small reflections. They are not waiting for the last touch but for the sunlight to wake them up.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

If an angel were ever to tell us anything of his philosophy I believe many propositions would sound like 2 times 2 equals 13.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

A on his lips and not-A in his heart.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

Men still have to be governed by deception.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

In every man there is something of all men.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

Everyone is a genius at least once a year.

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

We do not think good metaphors are anything very important, but I think that a good metaphor is something even the police should keep an eye on...

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg