One might call habit a moral friction: something that prevents the mind from gliding over things but connects it with them and makes it hard for it to free itself from them.

Quote by Georg C Lichtenberg

Topics: Georg C Lichtenberg Quotes

Nothing makes one old so quickly as the ever-present thought that one is growing older.

Nothing makes one old so quickly as the ever-present thought that one is growing older.

If you are going to build something in the air it is always better to...

If you are going to build something in the air it is always better to...

With prophecies the commentator is often a more important man than the prophet.

With prophecies the commentator is often a more important man than the prophet.

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...

A handful of soldiers is always better than a mouthful of arguments.

A handful of soldiers is always better than a mouthful of arguments.

A person reveals his character by nothing so clearly as the joke he resents.

A person reveals his character by nothing so clearly as the joke he resents.

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...

Perhaps in time the so-called Dark Ages will be thought of as including our own.

Perhaps in time the so-called Dark Ages will be thought of as including our own.

That man is the noblest creature may also be inferred from the fact that no...

That man is the noblest creature may also be inferred from the fact that no...

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...

When an acquaintance goes by I often step back from my window, not so much...

When an acquaintance goes by I often step back from my window, not so much...

There are very many people who read simply to prevent themselves from thinking.

There are very many people who read simply to prevent themselves from thinking.

We are obliged to regard many of our original minds as crazy at least until...

We are obliged to regard many of our original minds as crazy at least until...

Men still have to be governed by deception.

Men still have to be governed by deception.

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...

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...

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

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

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...

Man is to be found in reason, God in the passions.

Man is to be found in reason, God in the passions.

If all else fails, the character of a man can be recognized by nothing so...

If all else fails, the character of a man can be recognized by nothing so...