He who doesn't lose his wits over certain things has no wits to lose. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing More Quotes by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing More Quotes From Gotthold Ephraim Lessing For me the greatest beauty always lies in the greatest clarity. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing clarity beauty lying The true value of man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth. It is not possession of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectability is to be found. Possession makes one passive, indolent and proud. If God were to hold all Truth concealed in his right hand, and in his left only the steady and diligent drive for Truth, albeit with the proviso that I would always and forever err in the process, and to offer me the choice, I would with all humility take the left hand. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing humility real men To look forward to pleasure is also a pleasure. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing pleasure looks Let us be lazy in everything, except in loving and drinking, except in being lazy. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing lazy drunk drinking Nature meant woman to be her masterpiece. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing masterpiece women Pleasures, riches, honor and joy are sure to have care, disgrace, adversity and affliction in their train. There is no pleasure without pain, no joy without sorrow. O the folly of expecting lasting felicity in a vale of tears, or a paradise in a ruined world. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing adversity failure pain The most agreeable of all companions is a simple, frank man, without any high pretensions to an oppressive greatness; one who loves life, and understands the use of it; obliging alike at all hours; above all, of a golden temper and steadfast as an anchor. For such an one we gladly exchange the greatest genius, the most brilliant wit, the profoundest thinker. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing love-life greatness simple Yesterday I lived, today I suffer, tomorrow I die; but I still think fondly, today and tomorrow, of yesterday. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing suffering yesterday thinking Did the Almighty, holding in his right hand truth, and in his left hand search after truth, deign to proffer me the one I might prefer, in all humility, but without hesitation, I should request search after truth. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing humility truth hands The search for truth is more precious than its possession. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing precious-possessions curiosity truth A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most perfect prayer. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing gratitude thanksgiving prayer The true vagrant is the only king above all comparison. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing vagrants comparison kings Nothing under the sun is ever accidental. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing reason sun A heretic is a man who sees with his own eyes Gotthold Ephraim Lessing eye wisdom men The more we see the more we must be able to imagine, and the more we imagine, the more we must think we see. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing fantasy able thinking The most deadly fruit is borne by the hatred which one grafts on an extinguished friendship Gotthold Ephraim Lessing fruit hatred friendship If some things don't make you lose your sense of reason, then you have none to lose. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing loses ifs reason My God, grant that my bounty may be a clear and transparent river, flowing from pure charity, and uncontaminated by self-love, ambition, or interest. Thanks are due not to me, but Thee, from whom all I possess is derived. And what are the paltry gifts for which my neighbor forgets to thank me, compared with the immense blessings for which I have so often forgotten to be grateful to Thee! Gotthold Ephraim Lessing grateful ambition blessing How can such deep-imprinted images sleep in us at times, till a word, a sound, awake them? Gotthold Ephraim Lessing awake sound sleep The superstition in which we grew up, Though we may recognize it, does not lose Its power over us.-Not all are free Who make mock of their chains. Gotthold Ephraim Lessing superstitions doe may
