Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) was a Swiss theologian, philosopher, and poet. He founded physiognomy, which attempted to systematize how moral and intellectual character of a person can be distinguished by reading people’s facial features.
Born in Zürich, Lavater took Protestant orders in 1769. He became known by a volume of poems, Schweizerlieder (1767, ‘Swiss Songs,’) and his Aussichten in die Ewigkeit (1768–78, ‘Prospects of Eternity’) is characterized by religious enthusiasm and mysticism.
Lavater’s attempt to elevate physiognomy into science is his Physiognomische Fragmente (1775–78; ‘Essays on Physiognomy,’ 5 vols., 1789–98.) Physiognomy evolved into phrenology in the 19th century.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Johann Kaspar Lavater
The procrastinator is not only indolent and weak but commonly false too; most of the weak are false.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Delay
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
Topics: Words
You may tell a man thou art a fiend, but not your nose wants blowing; to him alone who can bear a thing of that kind, you may tell all.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
I know no friends more faithful and more inseparable than hard-heartedness and pride, humility and love, lies and impudence.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Sensibility is the power of woman.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
If you see one cold and vehement at the same time, set him down for a fanatic.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Fanaticism
He who has no taste for order, will be often wrong in his judgment, and seldom considerate or conscientious in his actions.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Action, Order
He surely is most in need of another’s patience, who has none of his own.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Patience
He is incapable of a truly good action who finds not a pleasure in contemplating the good actions of others.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Appreciation, Action
Trust him with little, who, without proofs, trusts you with everything, or when he has proved you, with nothing.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Confidence
All belief that does not render us more happy, more free, more loving, more active, more calm, is, I fear, an erroneous and superstitious belief.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Religion
Genius always gives its best at first; prudence, at last.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Genius
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
Love sees what no eye sees; love hears what no ear hears; and what never rose in the heart of man love prepares for its object.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Love
He who, silent, loves to be with us — he who loves us in our silence — has touched one of the keys that ravish hearts.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Silence, Love
Who has a daring eye, tells downright truths and downright lies.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Obstinacy is the strength of the weak. Firmness founded upon principle, upon truth and right, order and law, duty and generosity, is the obstinacy of sages.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Attitude
There are three classes of men; the retrograde, the stationary and the progressive.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Men, Man
He knows very little of mankind who expects, by any facts or reasoning, to convince a determined party man.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Politics, Politicians
He that hath no friend, and no enemy, is one of the vulgar; and without talents, powers, or energy.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Friendship
He who purposely cheats his friend, would cheat his God.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
True philosophy is that which makes us to ourselves and to all about us, better; and at the same time, more content, patient, calm, and more ready for all decent and pure enjoyment.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Philosophy
The creditor whose appearance gladdens the heart of a debtor may hold his head in sunbeams, and his foot on storms.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Trust him little who praises all, him less who censures all, and him least who is indifferent about all.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Trust, Confidence, Praise
Act well at the moment, and you have performed a good action to all eternity.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Time Management, Action, Time, Value of Time
Three days of uninterrupted company in a vehicle will make you better acquainted with another, than one hour’s conversation with him every day for three years.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
It is a poor wit who lives by borrowing the words, decisions, mien, inventions, and actions of others.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Frequent intercourse and intimate connection between two persons, make them so alike, that not only their dispositions are moulded like each other, but their very faces and tones of voice contract a similarity.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Who makes quick use of the moment, is a genius of prudence.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
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