Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

Critic

1729-01-22

Quotes by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

• Let each man say what he deems truth, and let truth itself be commended unto God.

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• The true value of a 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 the Truth, but rather the pursuit of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectibility is to be found. Possession makes one passive, indolent, and proud.

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• The true value of a man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth.

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• 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.

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• The true value of a 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 the Truth, but rather the pursuit of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectibility is to be found. Possession makes one passive, indolent, and proud.

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• The true value of a man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth.

  Read quote

• 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.

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• Let each man say what he deems truth, and let truth itself be commended unto God.

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

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

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• The lion is ashamed, it's true, when he Hunts with the fox:-of foxes, not of guile.

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• Better counsel comes overnight.

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• It's easier to swoon in pious dreams Than do good actions.

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• We moderns do not believe in demigods, but our smallest hero we expect to feel and act as a demigod.

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• To look forward to pleasure is also a pleasure.

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

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• A single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer.

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

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• The superstition in which we grew up, Though we may recognize it, does not lose Its power over us.-Not all are free Who make mock of their chains.

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• Absolute truth belongs to Thee alone.

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