Man — who is he?
Too bad to be the work of God; too good for the work of chance!

[Der Mensch, wo ist er her?
Zu schlecht für einen Gott, zu gut fürs Ungefähr.]

Gotthold Lessing (1729-1781) German playwright, philosopher, dramaturg, writer
Fragmente und Fabeln [Fragments and Fables], Fragment 6 “Die Religion” (1753)

As with many of his quotations, frequently misattributed to contemporary author Doris Lessing.

(Source (German)). Alternate translation:

Man, whence is he?
Too bad to be the work of a god, too good for the work of chance.
[ed. Wood (1893)]


 
Added on 25-Mar-15 | Last updated 30-Apr-24
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