Johann Kaspar Lavater Quotes

The great rule of moral conduct is next to God, respect time.

Where there is much pretension, much has been borrowed; nature never pretends.

Action, looks, words, steps, form the alphabet by which you may spell character.

He who has no taste for order, will be often wrong in his judgment, and seldom considerate or conscientious in his actions.

Airs of importance are the credentials of impotence.

Too much gravity argues a shallow mind.

There are three classes of men; the retrograde, the stationary and the progressive.

If you wish to appear agreeable in society, you must consent to be taught many things which you already know.

Beware of him who hates the laugh of a child.

Be not the fourth friend of him who had three before and lost them.

He, who cannot forgive a trespass of malice to his enemy, has never yet tasted the most sublime enjoyment of love.

All affectation is the vain and ridiculous attempt of poverty to appear rich

He submits himself to be seen through a microscope, who suffers himself to be caught in a fit of passion.

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

Have you ever seen a pedant with a warm heart?

He can feel no little wants who is in pursuit of grandeur.

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.

The worst of faces still is human.

He who reforms himself has done more towards reforming the public than a crowd or noisy, impotent patriots.

He who purposely cheats his friend would cheat his God.

Intuition is the clear conception of the whole at once.