Just as the performance of the vilest and most wicked deeds requires spirit and talent, so even the greatest demand a certain insensitivity which under other circumstances we would call stupidity.

Quote by Georg C Lichtenberg

Topics: Georg C Lichtenberg Quotes

Virtue by premeditation isn't worth much.

Virtue by premeditation isn't worth much.

Man is a masterpiece of creation if for no other reason than that, all the...

Man is a masterpiece of creation if for no other reason than that, all the...

Here take back the stuff that I am, nature, knead it back into the dough...

Here take back the stuff that I am, nature, knead it back into the dough...

What is called an acute knowledge of human nature is mostly nothing but the observer's...

What is called an acute knowledge of human nature is mostly nothing but the observer's...

It is a question whether, when we break a murderer on the wheel, we do...

It is a question whether, when we break a murderer on the wheel, we do...

Once we know our weaknesses they cease to do us any harm.

Once we know our weaknesses they cease to do us any harm.

A book is a mirror: if an ape looks into it an apostle is hardly...

A book is a mirror: if an ape looks into it an apostle is hardly...

Man loves company - even if it is only that of a small burning candle.

Man loves company - even if it is only that of a small burning candle.

He who says he hates every kind of flattery, and says it in earnest, certainly...

He who says he hates every kind of flattery, and says it in earnest, certainly...

To receive applause for works which do not demand all our powers hinders our advance...

To receive applause for works which do not demand all our powers hinders our advance...

The noble simplicity in the works of nature only too often originates in the noble...

The noble simplicity in the works of nature only too often originates in the noble...

Doubt must be no more than vigilance, otherwise it can become dangerous.

Doubt must be no more than vigilance, otherwise it can become dangerous.

With most people disbelief in a thing is founded on a blind belief in some...

With most people disbelief in a thing is founded on a blind belief in some...

Sickness is mankind's greatest defect.

Sickness is mankind's greatest defect.

He who is in love with himself has at least this advantage - he won't...

He who is in love with himself has at least this advantage - he won't...

To grow wiser means to learn to know better and better the faults to which...

To grow wiser means to learn to know better and better the faults to which...

Much can be inferred about a man from his mistress: in her one beholds his...

Much can be inferred about a man from his mistress: in her one beholds his...

Many things about our bodies would not seem to us so filthy and obscene if...

Many things about our bodies would not seem to us so filthy and obscene if...

Actual aristocracy cannot be abolished by any law: all the law can do is decree...

Actual aristocracy cannot be abolished by any law: all the law can do is decree...

The most dangerous untruths are truths slightly distorted.

The most dangerous untruths are truths slightly distorted.