WIST

One’s first step in wisdom is to question everything — and one’s last is to come to terms with everything.

Georg C. Lichtenberg (1742-1799) German physicist, writer
(Attributed)

With most people, unbelief in one thing is founded upon blind belief in another.

Georg C. Lichtenberg (1742-1799) German physicist, writer
(Attributed)

Never undertake anything for which you wouldn’t have the courage to ask the blessing of heaven.

Georg C. Lichtenberg (1742-1799) German physicist, writer
(Attributed)

A person reveals his character by nothing so clearly as the joke he resents.

Georg C. Lichtenberg (1742-1799) German physicist, writer
(Attributed)

To do just the opposite is also a form of imitation.

Georg C. Lichtenberg (1742-1799) German physicist, writer
(Attributed)

A book is a mirror: if an ape looks into it, an apostle is unlikely to look out.

Georg C. Lichtenberg (1742-1799) German physicist, writer
Aphorisms, F.17 (1806) (tr. R. Hollingdale (1990))

I have always found that so-called bad people gain in one’s estimation when one gets to know them better, and good people decline.

Georg C. Lichtenberg (1742-1799) German physicist, writer
Aphorisms, G.25 (1806) [tr. Hollingdale (1990)]

Before we blame, we should first see if we can’t excuse.

Georg C. Lichtenberg (1742-1799) German physicist, writer
Nachtrag zu den moralischen Bemerkungen