Johann Kaspar Lavater

“He who seldom speaks, and with one calm well-timed word can strike dumb the loquacious, is a genius or a hero.”

“The public seldom forgive twice.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Say not you know another entirely till you have divided an inheritance with him.”

“There are three classes of men; the retrograde, the stationary and the progressive.”

“He, who cannot forgive a trespass of malice to his enemy, has never yet tasted the most sublime enjoyment of love.”

“Who in the same given time can produce more than others has vigor; who can produce more and better, has talents; who can produce what none else can, has genius.”

“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?”