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Who seldom speaks, and with one calm well-timed word can strike dumb the loquacious, is a genius among those who study nature.

— Johann Kaspar Lavater Aphorisms on Man (1788)

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Nature

More quotes by Johann Kaspar Lavater

Let none turn over books, or roam the stars in quest of God, who sees him not in man.

Aphorisms on Man (1788)

Where there is much pretension, much has been borrowed — nature never pretends.

Aphorisms on Man (1788)

If you see one cold and vehement at the same time, set him down for a fanatic.

Aphorisms on Man (1788)

All affectation is the vain and ridiculous attempt of poverty to appear rich.

Aphorisms on Man (1788)

Good can be done by the bad — but the good alone can be good.

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Matter gave birth to a passion that has no equal, which proceeded from something contrary to nature. Then there arises a disturbance in its whole body.

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Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Johann Kaspar Lavater (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.