Johann Kaspar
Johann Kaspar
calumny-is benefits rogues
His calumny is not only the greatest benefit a rogue can confer on us, but the only service he will perform for nothing.
hero men genius
Before thou callest a man hero or genius, investigate whether his exertion has features of indelibility; for all that is celestial, all genius, is the offspring of immortality.
despise made impressed
Who despises all that is despicable is made to be impressed with all that is grand.
men forever invisible
Man is forever the same; the same under every form, in all situations and relations that admit of free and unrestrained exertion. The same regard which you have for yourself, you have for others, for nature, for the invisible ... which you call God.
character ends decided
Decided ends are sure signs of a decided character.
acquisition acquaintance one-thing
The acquisition of will, for one thing exclusively, presupposes entire acquaintance with many others.
misery folly cease
Where consequence ceases, there folly, restlessness and misery begin.
Who is fatal to others is so to himself.
cutting wounded offended
Who cuts is easily wounded. The readier you are to offend the sooner you are offended.
missing trying gains
The quicker, the louder, the applause with which another tries to gain you over to his purpose--the bitterer his censure if he miss his aim.
eye
Avoid the eye that discovers with rapidity the bad, and is slow to see the good.
humble anxiety secret
Who is open without levity; generous without waste; secret without craft; humble without meanness; bold without insolence; cautious without anxiety; regular, yet not formal; mild, yet not timid; firm, yet not tyrannical--is made to pass the ordeal of honor, friendship, virtue.
levity produce malice
Indiscretion, rashness, falsehood, levity, and malice, produce each other.
loss taste
The loss of taste for what is right is loss of all right taste.