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Quotes from Über den Umgang mit Menschen — Adolph Freiherr Knigge

1752–1796 Germany

← All quotes by Adolph Freiherr Knigge

17 quotes

One should never forget, that society would rather be amused than instructed.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

In many matters children — not ensnared by dogmatism, passion, or erudition — judge far truer than adults.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

Achte dich selbst, wenn du willst, dass andere dich achten sollen!

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

Compulsion kills all noble, freely given devotion.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

There is no such thing as a 'white lie' — there has not yet been an untruth uttered, that sooner or later hasn't led to unfortunate consequences for everyone.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

One of the most important virtues in social life, a virtue that is becoming less common by the day, is discretion.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

Who lives continually in a state of dissipation and distraction, becomes a stranger in his own heart.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

We see the wisest, most intelligent people take steps in life, that we must shake our head over.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

Act well and properly, less to please others, more to keep your own self-respect.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

Learn to take on the tone of the company you find yourself in.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

For a person of understanding, interacting with children is endlessly interesting. Here one sees the book of nature thrown open, stripped of artificiality.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

When you are alone, never let your clothing fall into disarray. Do not allow yourself to be dirty, have poor posture, or have rude manners when no one is observing you.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

No bonds last longer than those made in early youth. At that age one is less mistrustful and less troubled by trifles.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

Learn to bear criticism. Do not be childishly biased by your own opinions.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

Too easily people abuse or neglect us as soon as we become close with them. To live well, one must almost always remain a stranger in the crowd.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

Do not be too much a slave of others' opinions of you! Be self-sufficient! Why, in the end, does the opinion of the whole world trouble you, if you do what you should?

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

Rise in the presence of a gray head.

Über den Umgang mit Menschen (1788)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Adolph Freiherr Knigge (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.