Johann Kaspar Lavater quotes

Johann Kaspar Lavater was a Swiss poet, philosopher, and theologian, renowned for his work on physiognomy. His studies explored the connections between facial features and character traits, influencing both the arts and sciences of his time. He became widely recognized as a pioneer in the controversial field of physiognomic research. Here are 46 of his quotes:

Neatness begets order; but from order to taste there is the same difference as from taste to genius, or from love to friendship.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Actions, looks, words, steps, form the alphabet by which you may spell characters.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Who in the same given time can produce more than others has vigor; who can produce more and better, has talents; who can produce what none else can, has genius.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Mistrust the person who finds everything good, and the person who finds everything evil, and mistrust even more the person who is indifferent to everything.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Him, who incessantly laughs in the street, you may commonly hear grumbling in his closet.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Trust not him with your secrets, who, when left alone in your room, turns over your papers.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Say not you know another entirely, till you have divided an inheritance with him.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Have you ever seen a pedant with a warm heart?

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.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

If you see one cold and vehement at the same time, set him down for a fanatic.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

There are but three classes of men - the retrograde, the stationary, the progressive.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

You are not very good if you are not better than your best friends imagine you to be.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Too much gravity argues a shallow mind.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Let none turn over books, or roam the stars in quest of God, who sees him not in man.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Where there is much pretension, much has been borrowed:.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

If you mean to know yourself, interline such of these aphorisms as affect you agreeably in reading, and set a mark to such as left a sense of uneasiness with you; and then show your copy to whom you please.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

He 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.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Happy the heart to whom God has given enough strength and courage to suffer for Him, to find happiness in simplicity and the happiness of others.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Trust him little who praises all, him less who censures all, and him least of all who is indifferent about all.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Never tell evil of a man, if you do not know it for certainty, and if you know it for a certainty, then ask yourself, 'Why should I tell it?

Johann Kaspar Lavater

Who makes quick use of the moment is a genius of prudence.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

He who seldom speaks, and with one calm well-timed word can strike dumb the loquacious, is a genius or a hero.

Johann Kaspar Lavater