Quotes from lavater johann kaspar iii

The quicker, the louder, the applause with which another tries to gain you over to his purpose--the bitterer his censure if he miss his aim.

Existence is self-enjoyment, by means of some object distinct from ourselves.

Before thou callest a man hero or genius, investigate whether his exertion has features of indelibility; for all that is celestial, all genius, is the offspring of immortality.

The horse-laugh indicates brutality of character.

Who gives is positive; who receives is negative; still there remains an immense class of mere passives.

The wrath that on conviction subsides into mildness, is the wrath of a generous mind.

The ambitious sacrifices all to what he terms honor, as the miser all to money.

The most stormy ebullitions of passion, from blasphemy to murder, are less terrific than one single act of cool villainy.

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

As the impudence of flattery, so the impudence of egotism.

Who recollects distinctly his past adventures, knows his destiny to come.

Who cuts is easily wounded. The readier you are to offend the sooner you are offended.

Who despises all that is despicable is made to be impressed with all that is grand.

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

There 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 their languishing tenderness, others brighten by their spiritual vivacity. A beautiful smile is to the female countenance what the sunbeam is to the landscape; it embellishes an inferior face and redeems an ugly one.

The more unharmonious and inconsistent your objects of desire, the more inconsequent, inconstant, unquiet, the more ignoble, idiotical, and criminal yourself.

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

You can depend on no man, on no friend, but him who can depend on himself.