Gotthold Ephraim Lessing > Quotes

“The search for truth is more precious than its possession.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

“Think wrongly, if you please, but in all cases think for yourself.”
― G.E. Lessing

“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. ”
― Gotthold Lessing

“There are things which must cause you to lose your reason or you have none to lose”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

“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.”
― Gotthold Lessing

“For me the greatest beauty always lies in the greatest clarity.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

“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.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

“Das Blut allein macht lange noch den Vater nicht.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan der Weise

“Laß uns faul in allen Sachen, nur nicht faul zu Lieb und Wein, nur nicht faul zur Faulheit sein.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

“Eine Rose gebrochen, ehe der Sturm sie entblättert.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Emilia Galotti

“Ich will doch sehen, wer mich hält, - wer mich zwingt, - wer der Mensch ist, der einen Menschen zwingen kann.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Emilia Galotti

“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.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

“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.”
― Lessing G.

“Nicht die Wahrheit, in deren Besitz irgend ein Mensch ist oder zu sein vermeinet, sondern die aufrichtige Mühe, die er angewandt hat, hinter die Wahrheit zu kommen, macht den Wert des Menschen.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

“Ein Hurenhaus geriet um Mitternacht in Brand.
Schnell sprang, zum Löschen oder Retten,
Ein Dutzend Mönche von den Betten.
Wo waren die? Sie waren – – bei der Hand.
Ein Hurenhaus geriet in Brand.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Sinngedichte. Mit 35 Abbildungen nach Stichen von Daniel Chodowiecki

“Lies in meinen Augen, was ich dir nicht alles sagen kann.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Emilia Galotti

“Aber was nennen Sie ruhig sein? Die Hände in den Schoss legen? Leiden, was man nicht sollte? Dulden, was man nicht dürfte?”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Emilia Galotti

“Ich fürchte, grad unter Menschen möchtest du ein Mensch zu sein verlernen.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan der Weise

“A heretic is a man who sees with his own eyes.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

“Daja: Die Menschen sind nicht immer, was sie scheinen.

Tempelherr: Doch selten Etwas Besser.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan der Weise

“«Vedete, così la penso io: se al bene
che vorrei fare si avvicina troppo
un grande male, allora preferisco
non fare affatto il bene. Perché il male
noi sappiamo benissimo qual è,
il bene molto meno.»”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan der Weise

“Der Blick, des Forschers fand nicht selten mehr, als er zu finden wünschte.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan der Weise

“It is open to every man to choose the direction of his striving,” he explained, “and every man may take comfort from the fine saying that the search for truth is more precious than its possession.”70”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

“Ein ehrlicher Mann mag stecken, in welchem Kleide er will, man muss ihn lieben.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Emilia Galotti

“Dasjenige aber nur allein ist fruchtbar, was der Einbildungskraft freies Spiel läßt. Je mehr wir sehen, desto mehr müssen wir hinzu denken können.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Laocoon: An Essay on the Limits of Painting and Poetry

“Grabschrift auf einen Gehenkten
Hier ruht er, wenn der Wind nicht weht!”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Sinngedichte. Mit 35 Abbildungen nach Stichen von Daniel Chodowiecki

“Nicht die Kinder bloß, speist man mit Märchen ab.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Nathan der Weise

“Let each man say what he deems truth, and let truth itself be commended unto God.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

“Wer über gewisse Dinge den Verstand nicht verliert, der hat keinen zu verlieren.”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Emilia Galotti

“Ist dieses Land die Welt? Geht hier allein die Sonne auf?”
― Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm