What is called an acute knowledge of human nature is mostly nothing but the observer's own weaknesses reflected back from others.
– Georg C. Lichtenberg
We accumulate our opinions at an age when our understanding is at its weakest.
– Georg C. Lichtenberg
The pleasures of the imagination are as it were only drawings and models which are played with by poor people who cannot afford the real thing.
– Georg C. Lichtenberg
The noble simplicity in the works of nature only too often originates in the noble shortsightedness of him who observes it.
– Georg C. Lichtenberg
The Greeks possessed a knowledge of human nature we seem hardly able to attain to without passing through the strengthening hibernation of a new barbarism.
– Georg C. Lichtenberg
Prejudices are so to speak the mechanical instincts of men: through their prejudices they do without any effort many things they would find too difficult to think through to the point of resolving to do them.
– Georg C. Lichtenberg
Nothing can contribute more to peace of soul than the lack of any opinion whatever.
– Georg C. Lichtenberg
Much can be inferred about a man from his mistress: in her one beholds his weaknesses and his dreams.
– Georg C. Lichtenberg
It is almost everywhere the case that soon after it is begotten the greater part of human wisdom is laid to rest in repositories.
– Georg C. Lichtenberg
Here take back the stuff that I am, nature, knead it back into the dough of being, make of me a bush, a cloud, whatever you will, even a man, only no longer make me me.
– Georg C. Lichtenberg
Even truth needs to be clad in new garments if it is to appeal to a new age.