Neatness begets order; but from order to taste there is the same difference as from taste to genius, or from love to friendship.
— Johann Kaspar Lavater
Friendship
Where there is much pretension, much has been borrowed: nature never pretends.
— Johann Kaspar Lavater
Character
The more honesty a man has, the less he affects the air of a saint.
— Johann Kaspar Lavater
Honesty
Act well at the moment, and you have performed a good action to all eternity.
— Johann Kaspar Lavater
Ethics
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.
— Johann Kaspar Lavater
Faith
Never tell evil of a man, if you do not know it for certainty, and if you know it for a certainty, then ask yourself, 'Why should I tell it?'
— Johann Kaspar Lavater
Ethics
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.
— Johann Kaspar Lavater
Genius
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
Wisdom
Say not you know another entirely, till you have divided an inheritance with him.
— Johann Kaspar Lavater
Ethics