Quotations From G.C. (GEORG CHRISTOPH) LICHTENBERG

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• 91.

  I believe that man is in the last resort so free a being that his right to be what he believes himself to be cannot be contested.

  G.C. (Georg Christoph) Lichtenberg (1742-1799), German physicist, philosopher. "Notebook L," aph. 98, Aphorisms (written 1765-1799), trans. by R.J. Hollingdale (1990).
  
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• 92.

  What most clearly characterizes true freedom and its true employment is its misemployment.

  G.C. (Georg Christoph) Lichtenberg (1742-1799), German physicist, philosopher. "Notebook L," aph. 49, Aphorisms (written 1765-1799), trans. by R.J. Hollingdale (1990).
  
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• 93.

  The "second sight" possessed by the Highlanders in Scotland is actually a foreknowledge of future events. I believe they possess this gift because they don't wear trousers.

  G.C. (Georg Christoph) Lichtenberg (1742-1799), German physicist, philosopher. "Notebook L," aph. 26, Aphorisms (written 1765-1799), trans. by R.J. Hollingdale (1990). Lichtenberg added, "That is also why in all countries women are more prone to utter prophecies."
  
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• 94.

  A good metaphor is something even the police should keep an eye on.

  G.C. (Georg Christoph) Lichtenberg (1742-1799), German physicist, philosopher. "Notebook E," aph. 91, Aphorisms (written 1765-1799), trans. by R.J. Hollingdale (1990).
  
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• 95.

  That man is the noblest creature may also be inferred from the fact that no other creature has yet contested this claim.

  G.C. (Georg Christoph) Lichtenberg (1742-1799), German physicist, philosopher. "Notebook D," aph. 58, Aphorisms (written 1765-1799), trans. by R.J. Hollingdale (1990).
• 96.

  First we have to believe, and then we believe.

  G.C. (Georg Christoph) Lichtenberg (1742-1799), German physicist, philosopher. "Notebook K," aph. 55, Aphorisms (written 1765-1799), trans. by R.J. Hollingdale (1990).
  
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• 97.

  If all else fails, the character of a man can be recognized by nothing so surely as by a jest which he takes badly.

  G.C. (Georg Christoph) Lichtenberg (1742-1799), German physicist, philosopher. "Notebook K," aph. 46, Aphorisms (written 1765-1799), trans. by R.J. Hollingdale (1990).
• 98.

  The noble simplicity in the works of nature only too often originates in the noble shortsightedness of him who observes it.

  G.C. (Georg Christoph) Lichtenberg (1742-1799), German physicist, philosopher. "Notebook H," aph. 1, Aphorisms (written 1765-1799), trans. by R.J. Hollingdale (1990).
  
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