Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Quotes

The true value of man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth. It is not possession of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectability is to be found. Possession makes one passive, indolent and proud. If God were to hold all Truth concealed in his right hand, and in his left only the steady and diligent drive for Truth, albeit with the proviso that I would always and forever err in the process, and to offer me the choice, I would with all humility take the left hand.

To look forward to pleasure is also a pleasure.

For me the greatest beauty always lies in the greatest clarity.

The search for truth is more precious than its possession.

Nature meant woman to be her masterpiece.

A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most perfect prayer.

When the heart dares to speak, it needs no preparation.

The superstition in which we were brought up never loses its power over us, even after we understand it.

The more we see the more we must be able to imagine, and the more we imagine, the more we must think we see.

Let us be lazy in everything, except in loving and drinking, except in being lazy.

A blush is the sign which Nature hangs out to show where chastity and honor dwell.

If some things don't make you lose your sense of reason, then you have none to lose.

Yesterday I lived, today I suffer, tomorrow I die; but I still think fondly, today and tomorrow, of yesterday.

Pleasures, riches, honor and joy are sure to have care, disgrace, adversity and affliction in their train. There is no pleasure without pain, no joy without sorrow. O the folly of expecting lasting felicity in a vale of tears, or a paradise in a ruined world.

A heretic is a man who sees with his own eyes

Absolute truth belongs to Thee alone.

The most agreeable of all companions is a simple, frank man, without any high pretensions to an oppressive greatness; one who loves life, and understands the use of it; obliging alike at all hours; above all, of a golden temper and steadfast as an anchor. For such an one we gladly exchange the greatest genius, the most brilliant wit, the profoundest thinker.

He who doesn't lose his wits over certain things has no wits to lose.

If the advice of a fool for once happens to be good, it requires a wise man to carry it out.

Who cannot resolve upon a moment's notice To live his own life, he forever lives A slave to others.

Did the Almighty, holding in his right hand truth, and in his left hand search after truth, deign to proffer me the one I might prefer, in all humility, but without hesitation, I should request search after truth.

For the will and not the gift makes the giver.

It is not children only that one feeds with fairy tales.

Borrowing is not much better than begging.

The searcher's eye Not seldom finds more than he wished to find.