Swiss poet & physiognomist (1741-1801)
As man's love or hatred, so he. Love and hatred exist only personified.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The immoderate cannot laugh moderately.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
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.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
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.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who despises all that is despicable is made to be impressed with all that is grand.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
If you see one cold and vehement at the same time, set him down for a fanatic.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
What affects useless singularities has surely a little mind.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Existence is self-enjoyment, by means of some object distinct from ourselves.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
You can depend on no man, on no friend, but him who can depend on himself.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Trust not him with your secrets, who, when left alone in your room, turns over your papers.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The more unharmonious and inconsistent your objects of desire, the more inconsequent, inconstant, unquiet, the more ignoble, idiotical, and criminal yourself.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The wrath that on conviction subsides into mildness, is the wrath of a generous mind.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
As the impudence of flattery, so the impudence of egotism.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who recollects distinctly his past adventures, knows his destiny to come.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who gives is positive; who receives is negative; still there remains an immense class of mere passives.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The greatest of characters, no doubt, would be he, who, free of all trifling accidental helps, could see objects through one grand immutable medium, always at hand, and proof against illusion and time, reflecting every object in its true shape and color through all the fluctuation of things.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Wishes run over in loquacious impotence, will presses on with laconic energy.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
Who forces himself on others, is to himself a load.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
The horse-laugh indicates brutality of character.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man
True genius repeats itself forever, and never repeats itself--one ever varied sense beams novelty and unity on all.
JOHANN KASPAR LAVATER
Aphorisms on Man