In mathematical analysis we call x the undetermined part of line a: the rest we don't call y, as we do in common life, but a-x. Hence mathematical language has great advantages over the common language. Georg C. Lichtenberg More Quotes by Georg C. Lichtenberg More Quotes From Georg C. Lichtenberg The rules of grammar are mere human statutes, which is why when he speaks out of the possessed the Devil himself speaks bad Latin. Georg C. Lichtenberg speaks-out devil latin The girl who reveals herself heart and soul to her friend reveals the secrets of the entire sex; for every girl is the guardian of the feminine mysteries. Georg C. Lichtenberg women girl sex The most entertaining surface on earth is the human face. Georg C. Lichtenberg surface earth faces The excuses we make to ourselves when we want to do something are excellent material for soliloquies, for they are rarely made except when we are alone, and are very often made aloud. Georg C. Lichtenberg excellent excuse want A man of spirit must not think of the word difficulty as so much as existing. Away with it! Georg C. Lichtenberg spirit men thinking If this is philosophy it is at any rate a philosophy that is not in its right mind. Georg C. Lichtenberg philosopher mind philosophy To write brashly about some things, it is almost necessary not to know much about them. Georg C. Lichtenberg knows writing Superstition originates among ordinary people in the early and all too zealous instruction they receive in religion: they hear of mysteries, miracles, deeds of the Devil, and consider it very probable that things of this sort could occur in everything anywhere. Georg C. Lichtenberg devil miracle people I forget the greater part of what I read, but all the same it nourishes my mind. Georg C. Lichtenberg greater mind forget It is a great shame; most of our words are misused tools / which often still smell of the mud in which previous owners / desecrated them. Georg C. Lichtenberg our-words smell tools There are people who believe everything is sane and sensible that is done with a solemn face. Georg C. Lichtenberg identity believe people That man is the noblest creature may also be inferred from the fact that no other creature has yet contested this claim. Georg C. Lichtenberg nature humanity men As I take up my pen I feel myself so full, so equal to my subject, and see my book so clearly before me in embryo, I would almost like to try to say it all in a single word. Georg C. Lichtenberg writing book art Most subjects at universities are taught for no other purpose than that they may be re-taught when the students become teachers. Georg C. Lichtenberg teaching education teacher People often become scholars for the same reason they become soldiers: simply because they are unfit for any other station. Their right hand has to earn them a livelihood; one might say they lie down like bears in winter and seek sustenance from their paws. Georg C. Lichtenberg winter lying hands Theologians always try to turn the Bible into a book without common sense. Georg C. Lichtenberg common-sense book religion A man is never more serious than when he praise himself. Georg C. Lichtenberg serious praise men 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. Georg C. Lichtenberg philosophy profound science Man is always partial and is quite right to be. Even impartiality is partial. Georg C. Lichtenberg impartiality neutrality men Many things about our bodies would not seem to us so filthy and obscene if we did not have the idea of nobility in our heads. Georg C. Lichtenberg nobility body ideas
