Johann Kaspar (or Caspar) Lavater (15 November 1741 – 2 January 1801) was a Swiss poet, writer, philosopher, physiognomist and theologian.
The wrath that on conviction subsides into mildness, is the wrath of a generous mind.
A great passion has no partner.
How few our real wants, and how vast our imaginary ones!
What knowledge is there of which man is capable that is not founded on the exterior,--the relation that exists between visible and invisible, the perceptible and the imperceptible?
He knows very little of mankind who expects, by any facts or reasoning, to convince a determined party man.
The freer you feel yourself in the presence of another, the more free is he.
Action, looks, words, steps, form the alphabet by which you may spell character.
Loudness is impotence.
If you mean to know yourself, interline such of these aphorisms as affect you agreeably in reading, and set a mark to such as left a sense of uneasiness with you; and then show your copy to whom you please.
Trust him with none of thy individualities who is, or pretends to be, two things at once.
He, who boldly interposes between a merciless censor and his prey, is a man of vigor: and he who, mildly wise, without wounding, convinces him of his error, commands our veneration.
He who goes round about in his requests wants commonly more than he chooses to appear to want.
Who makes quick use of the moment is a genius of prudence.
There is a manner of forgiveness so divine that you are ready to embrace the offender for having called it forth.
To realize that you were mistaken, is just the acknowledgement , that you are wiser today than you were yesterday.
He who purposely cheats his friend would cheat his God.
Happy the heart to whom God has given enough strength and courage to suffer for Him, to find happiness in simplicity and the happiness of others.
Words are the wings of actions.
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.
He surely is most in need of another's patience, who has none of his own.