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
Where there is much pretension, much has been borrowed; nature never pretends.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Intuition is the clear conception of the whole at once.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Intuition
Wishes run over in loquacious impotence; will presses on with laconic energy.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Wishes
He alone is an acute observer, who can observe minutely without being observed.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Observation
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
Topics: Words
It is possible that a wise and good man may be prevailed on to gamble; but it is impossible that a professed gamester should be a wise and good man.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Gambling
There are three classes of men; the retrograde, the stationary and the progressive.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Man, Men
Learning is wealth to the poor, an honor to the rich, an aid to the young, and a support and comfort to the aged.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Learning
Trust him little who praises all, him less who censures all, and him least who is indifferent about all.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Praise, Confidence, Trust
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
The more anyone speaks of himself, the less he likes to hear another talked of.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Conceit, Egotism
The jealous are possessed by a mad devil and a dull spirit at the same time.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Jealousy, Defects
Say not you know another entirely till you have divided an inheritance with him.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Divorce, Wealth, Inheritance
Indiscretion, rashness, falsehood, levity, and malice produce each other.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
You are not very good if you are not better than your best friends imagine you to be.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Goodness, Character
He can feel no little wants who is in pursuit of grandeur.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Desires
Be not the fourth friend of him who had three before and lost them.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Friendship, Friends
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 give grandly can ask nobly and with boldness.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Questions
A sneer is often the sign of heartless malignity.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Insults
Weaknesses, so called, are nothing more nor less than vice in disguise!
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Weakness
I have enjoyed many of the comforts of life, none of which I wish to esteem lightly; yet I confess I know not any joy that is so dear to me, that so fully satisfies the inmost desires of my mind, that so enlivens, refines, and elevates my whole nature, as that which I derive from religion—from faith in God.—May this God be thy God, thy refuge, thy comfort, as he has been mine.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
He surely is most in need of another’s patience, who has none of his own.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Patience
He who purposely cheats his friend, would cheat his God.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Cheating
The worst of all knaves are those who can mimic their former honesty.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
He who gives himself airs of importance exhibits the credentials of impotence.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Conceit, Self-Esteem, Pride
If you wish to appear agreeable in society, you must consent to be taught many things which you know already.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Agreement
Each particle of matter is an immensity; each leaf a world; each insect an inexplicable compendium.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Mystery
He knows not how to speak who cannot be silent; still less how to act with vigor and decision. Who hastens to the end is silent; loudness is impotence.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Silence
It is a poor wit who lives by borrowing the words, decisions, mien, inventions, and actions of others.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Imitation
He who always seeks more light the more he finds, and finds more the more he seeks, is one of the few happy mortals who take and give in every point of time. The tide and ebb of giving and receiving is the sum of human happiness, which he alone enjoys who always wishes to acquire new knowledge, and always finds it.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater
Topics: Learning
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