Quotes from Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Would that we could at once paint with the eyes! In the long way from the eye through the arm to the pencil, how much is lost!

If the advice of a fool for once happens to be good, it requires a wise man to carry it out.

Well was it said by a man of sagacity that dancing was a sort of privileged and reputable folly, and that the best way to be convinced of this was to close the ears and judge of it by the eyes alone.

Nature meant woman to be her masterpiece.

Pure truth is for God alone.

It's easier to swoon in pious dreams Than do good actions.

A blush is the sign which Nature hangs out to show where chastity and honor dwell.

The lion is ashamed, it's true, when he hunts with the fox.

The superstition in which we grew up, Though we may recognize it, does not lose Its power over us.-Not all are free Who make mock of their chains.

The superstition in which we were brought up never loses its power over us, even after we understand it.

A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most perfect prayer.

Ein einziger dankbarer Gedanke gen Himmel ist das vollkommenste Gebet. One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer.

The gift of prayer is not always at our command.

For the will and not the gift makes the giver.

He who doesn't lose his wits over certain things has no wits to lose.

For me the greatest beauty always lies in the greatest clarity.

Who cannot resolve upon a moment's notice To live his own life, he forever lives A slave to others.

Let each man say what he deems truth, and let truth itself be commended unto God.

Wer überlegt, der sucht Bewegungsgründe, nicht zu dürfen.

Was hätt' ein Weiberkopf erdacht, das er nicht zu beschönen wüßte!

Gewalt! Gewalt! wer kann der Gewalt nicht trotzen? Was Gewalt heisst, ist nichts: Verführung ist die wahre Gewalt.

O, über die weilden, unbiegsamen Männer, die nur immer ihr stieres Auge auf das Gespenst der Ehre heften!

Comment, Mademoiselle? Vous appellés cela betrügen? Corriger la fortune, l'enchainer sous ses doits, etre sûr de son fait, das nenn die Deutsch betrügen? betrügen! O, was ist die deutsch Sprak für ein arm Sprak! für ein plump Sprak!

Sollte die Freiheit zu streben, die uns die Götter in allen Umständen des Lebens gelassen haben, sollte diese ein Mensch dem andern verkümmern können?