A gift--its kind, its value and appearance; the silence or the pomp that attends it; the style in which it reaches you--may decide the dignity or vulgarity of the giver. Johann Kaspar Lavater More Quotes by Johann Kaspar Lavater More Quotes From Johann Kaspar Lavater Who makes quick use of the moment is a genius of prudence. Johann Kaspar Lavater use-it-or-lose-itfailureopportunity Be certain that he who has betrayed thee once will betray thee again. Johann Kaspar Lavater betrayalbetrayedthee 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 anxietysecrethumble Depend on no man, on no friend but him who can depend on himself. He only who acts conscientiously toward himself, will act so toward others. Johann Kaspar Lavater dependence-on-othersno-friendsmen Venerate four characters: the sanguine who has checked volatility and the rage for pleasure; the choleric who has subdued passion and pride; the phlegmatic emerged from indolence; and the melancholy who has dismissed avarice, suspicion and asperity. Johann Kaspar Lavater passionpridecharacter He who seldom speaks, and with one calm well-timed word can strike dumb the loquacious, is a genius or a hero. Johann Kaspar Lavater stupidherotime He who can conceal his joys, is greater than he who can hide his griefs Johann Kaspar Lavater greatergriefjoy Who, in the midst of just provocation to anger, instantly finds the fit word which settles all around him in silence is more than wise or just; he is, were he a beggar, of more than royal blood, he is of celestial descent. Johann Kaspar Lavater silencewiseblood Him, who incessantly laughs in the street, you may commonly hear grumbling in his closet. Johann Kaspar Lavater grumblinglaughterlaughing Mistrust the man who finds everything good, the man who finds everything evil and still more the man who is indifferent to everything. Johann Kaspar Lavater evilinspirationalmen The public seldom forgive twice. Johann Kaspar Lavater forgivingsociety I am prejudiced in favor of him who, without impudence, can ask boldly. He has faith in humanity, and faith in himself. No one who is not accustomed to giving grandly can ask nobly and with boldness. Johann Kaspar Lavater faithgivingcharacter All belief that does not make us more happy, more free, more loving, more active, more calm, is, I fear, a mistaken and superstitious belief. Johann Kaspar Lavater calmbeliefdoe Before thou callest a man hero or genius, investigate whether his exertion has features of indelibility; for all that is celestial, all genius, is the offspring of immortality. Johann Kaspar Lavater geniusheromen The jealous are possessed by a mad devil and a dull spirit at the same time. Johann Kaspar Lavater madjealousytime Who recollects distinctly his past adventures, knows his destiny to come. Johann Kaspar Lavater destinyadventurepast Don't speak evil of someone if you don't know for certain, and if you do know ask yourself, why am I telling it? Johann Kaspar Lavater gossipspeakevil Strange that cowards cannot see that their greatest safety lies in dauntless courage. Johann Kaspar Lavater cowardsafetylying His calumny is not only the greatest benefit a rogue can confer on us, but the only service he will perform for nothing. Johann Kaspar Lavater calumny-isbenefitsrogues A fop of fashion is the mercer's friend, the tailor's fool, and his own foe. Johann Kaspar Lavater tailorsfoolfashion
