Author Profile
Georg C. Lichtenberg
1742 – 1799 • German • Scientist
60
Total Quotes
Collected Meditations
Showing 60 quotesThat man is the noblest creature may also be inferred from the fact that no other creature has yet contested this claim.— Georg C. Lichtenberg
A book is a mirror: if an ape looks into it an apostle is hardly likely to look out.— Georg C. Lichtenberg
Nothing can contribute more to peace of soul than the lack of any opinion whatever.— Georg C. Lichtenberg
There is no greater impediment to progress in the sciences than the desire to see it take place too quickly.— Georg C. Lichtenberg
Prejudices are so to speak the mechanical instincts of men: through their prejudices they do without any effort many things they would find too difficult to think through to the point of resolving to do them.— Georg C. Lichtenberg
The fly that doesn't want to be swatted is most secure when it lights on the fly-swatter.— Georg C. Lichtenberg
We have no words for speaking of wisdom to the stupid. He who understands the wise is wise already.— Georg C. Lichtenberg
What is the good of drawing conclusions from experience? I don't deny we sometimes draw the right conclusions, but don't we just as often draw the wrong ones?— Georg C. Lichtenberg
Just as we outgrow a pair of trousers, we outgrow acquaintances, libraries, principles, etc., at times before they're worn out and times - and this is the worst of all - before we have new ones.— Georg C. Lichtenberg
The most perfect ape cannot draw an ape; only man can do that; but, likewise, only man regards the ability to do this as a sign of superiority.— Georg C. Lichtenberg
I am convinced we do not only love ourselves in others but hate ourselves in others too.— Georg C. Lichtenberg
To do the opposite of something is also a form of imitation, namely an imitation of its opposite.— Georg C. Lichtenberg
There are very many people who read simply to prevent themselves from thinking.— Georg C. Lichtenberg
If all else fails, the character of a man can be recognized by nothing so surely as by a jest which he takes badly.— Georg C. Lichtenberg