Georg Christoph Lichtenberg quotes - page 6

Affectation is a very good word when someone does not wish to confess to what he would none the less like to believe of himself. (Georg Christoph Lichtenberg)
The journalists have constructed for themselves a little wooden chapel, which they also call the Temple of Fame, in which they put up and take down portraits all day long and make such a hammering you can't hear yourself speak. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
He was always smoothing and polishing himself, and in the end he became blunt before he was sharp. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
So-called professional mathematicians have, in their reliance on the relative incapacity of the rest of mankind, acquired for themselves a reputation for profundity very similar to the reputation for sanctity possessed by theologians. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
If it were true what in the end would be gained? Nothing but another truth. Is this such a mighty advantage? We have enough old truths still to digest, and even these we would be quite unable to endure if we did not sometimes flavor them with lies. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
Reason now gazes above the realm of the dark but warm feelings as the Alpine peaks do above the clouds. They behold the sun more clearly and distinctly, but they are cold and unfruitful. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
The most successful tempters and thus the most dangerous are the deluded deluders. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
It is said that truth comes from the mouths of fools and children: I wish every good mind which feels an inclination for satire would reflect that the finest satirist always has something of both in him. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
What I do not like about our definitions of genius is that there is in them nothing of the day of judgment, nothing of resounding through eternity and nothing of the footsteps of the Almighty. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
There are two ways of extending life: firstly by moving the two points "born" and "died" farther away from one another... The other method is to go more slowly and leave the two points wherever God wills they should be, and this method is for the philosophers. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
God created man in His own image, says the Bible; philosophers reverse the process: they create God in theirs. (Georg Christoph Lichtenberg)
A person reveals his character by nothing so clearly as the joke he resents. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
The "second sight" possessed by the Highlanders in Scotland is actually a foreknowledge of future events. I believe they possess this gift because they don't wear trousers... That is also why in all countries women are more prone to utter prophecies. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
To do just the opposite is also a form of imitation. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
Once the good man was dead, one wore his hat and another his sword as he had worn them, a third had himself barbered as he had, a fourth walked as he did, but the honest man that he was - nobody any longer wanted to be that. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
There are people who believe everything is sane and sensible that is done with a solemn face. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
We often have need of a profound philosophy to restore to our feelings their original state of innocence, to find our way out of the rubble of things alien to us, to begin to feel for ourselves and to speak ourselves, and I might almost say to exist ourselves. Even if my philosophy does not extend to discovering anything new, it does nevertheless possess the courage to regard as questionable what has long been thought true. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
I have written a good number of drafts and small reflections. They are not waiting for the last touch but for the sunlight to wake them up. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
If an angel were ever to tell us anything of his philosophy I believe many propositions would sound like 2 times 2 equals 13. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
A on his lips and not-A in his heart. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
First we have to believe, and then we believe. (Georg Christoph Lichtenberg)
Men still have to be governed by deception. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
In every man there is something of all men. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
Everyone is a genius at least once a year. View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
We do not think good metaphors are anything very important, but I think that a good metaphor is something even the police should keep an eye on... View quote
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg