Quote

Learn the value of a man's words and expressions, and you know him. Each man has a measure of his own for everything this he offers you inadvertently in his words. He who has a superlative for everything wants a measure for the great or small.

Johann Kaspar Lavater

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Johann Kaspar Lavater
Age: 59 †
Born: 1741
Born: November 15
Died: 1801
Died: January 2
Criminologist
Illustrator
Painter
Philosopher
Poet
Theologian
Writer
City of Zurich
Johann Caspar Lavater
J. C. Lavater
j. c. lavater
Wants
Superlative
Small
Superlatives
Values
Inadvertently
Words
Expressions
Learn
Measure
Everything
Offers
Great
Value
Men
Expression

More quotes by Johann Kaspar Lavater

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Joy and grief decide character. What exalts prosperity? what imbitters grief? what leaves us indifferent? what interests us? As the interest of man, so his God - as his God, so he.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Who knows whence he comes, where he is, and whither he tends, he, and he alone, is wise.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Too much gravity argues a shallow mind.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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He whom common, gross, or stale objects allure, and when obtained, content, is a vulgar being, incapable of greatness in thought or action.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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She whom smiles and tears make equally lovely may command all hearts.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Who is open without levity generous without waste secret without craft humble without meanness bold without insolence cautious without anxiety regular, yet not formal mild, yet not timid firm, yet not tyrannical - is made to pass the ordeal of honour, friendship, virtue.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Conscience is wiser than science.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Close thine ear against him that shall open his mouth secretly against another. If thou receivest not his words, they fly back and wound the reporter. If thou dost receive them, they fly forward and wound the receiver.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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He scatters enjoyment who can enjoy much.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Just so far as we are pleased at finding faults, are we displeased at finding perfection.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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He, who boldly interposes between a merciless censor and his prey, is a man of vigor: and he who, mildly wise, without wounding, convinces him of his error, commands our veneration.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Certain trifling flaws sit as disgracefully on a character of elegance as a ragged button on a court dress.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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True worth is as inevitably discovered by the facial expression, as its opposite is sure to be clearly represented there. The human face is nature's tablet, the truth is certainly written thereon.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Have I done aught of value to my fellow-men? Then have I done much for myself.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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It is a poor wit who lives by borrowing the words, decisions, mien, inventions and actions of others.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Obstinacy is the strength of the weak. Firmness founded upon principle, upon the truth and right, order and law, duty and generosity, is the obstinacy of sages.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Modesty is silent when it would be improper to speak the humble, without being called upon, never recollects to say anything of himself.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Half talent is no talent.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Softness of smile indicates softness of character.
Johann Kaspar Lavater
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Who cuts is easily wounded. The readier you are to offend the sooner you are offended.
Johann Kaspar Lavater