Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Gotthold Ephraim Lessingwas a German writer, philosopher, dramatist, publicist and art critic, and one of the most outstanding representatives of the Enlightenment era. His plays and theoretical writings substantially influenced the development of German literature. He is widely considered by theatre historians to be the first dramaturg in his role at Abel Seyler's Hamburg National Theatre...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionCritic
Date of Birth22 January 1729
CountryGermany
beauty lying clarity
For me the greatest beauty always lies in the greatest clarity.
real humility men
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.
tongue certain wit
He who doesn't lose his wits over certain things has no wits to lose.
truth curiosity precious-possessions
The search for truth is more precious than its possession.
running doe body
As the stag which the huntsman has hit flies through bush and brake, over stock and stone, thereby exhausting his strength but not expelling the deadly bullet from his body; so does experience show that they who have troubled consciences run from place to place, but carry with them wherever they go their dangerous wounds.
drinking drunk lazy
Let us be lazy in everything, except in loving and drinking, except in being lazy.
reason loses ifs
If some things don't make you lose your sense of reason, then you have none to lose.
sun intention evident
Nothing under the sun is accidental, least of all that of which the intention is so clearly evident.
prayer grateful perfect
Ein einziger dankbarer Gedanke gen Himmel ist das vollkommenste Gebet. One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer.
heart preparation needs
When the heart dares to speak, it needs no preparation.
truth humility hands
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.
pleasure cheerfulness creator
What can the Creator see with greater pleasure than a happy creature?
prayer command
The gift of prayer is not always at our command.
begging-you lending borrowing
Borrowing is not much better than begging.