Quotes by Johann Kaspar Lavater

He who has not forgiven an enemy has never tasted one of the most sublime enjoyments of life.

The more honesty a man has, the less he affects the air of a saint.

Trust him not with your secrets, who, when left alone in your room, turns over your papers.

I am prejudiced in favor of him who, without impudence, can ask boldly. He has faith in humanity, and faith in himself. Noone who is not accustomed to giving grandly can ask nobly and with boldness.

When you doubt between words, use the plainest, the commonest, the most idiomatic. Eschew fine words as you would rouge; love simple ones as you would the native roses on your cheek.

He who freely praises what he means to purchase, and he who enumerates the faults of what he means to sell, may set up a partnership with honesty.

Genius always gives its best at first, prudence at last.

Never say you know a man till you have divided an inheritance with him.

He who purposely cheats his friend would cheat his God.

Action, looks, words, steps, form the alphabet by which you may spell character.