Johann Kaspar Lavater Author
- Gender: Male
- Citizenship: Germany
- Born: Nov 15, 1741
- Died: Jan 2, 1801
Johann Kaspar (or Caspar) Lavater (15 November 1741 - 2 January 1801) was a Swiss poet and physiognomist.
Lavater was born at Zürich, and educated at the Gymnasium there, where J. J. Bodmer and J. J. Breitinger were among his teachers.
At barely twenty-one years of age, Lavater greatly distinguished himself by denouncing, in conjunction with his friend, the painter Henry Fuseli, an iniquitous magistrate, who was compelled to make restitution of his ill-gotten gains.
In 1769 Lavater took Holy Orders in Zurich's Zwinglian Church, and officiated until his death as deacon or pastor in churches in his native city. His oratorical fervor and genuine depth of conviction gave him great personal influence; he was extensively consulted as a casuist, and was welcomed with enthusiasm on his journeys throughout Germany. His writings on mysticism were widely popular as well.
If you wish to appear agreeable in society, you must consent to be taught many things which you know already.
society
Trust him not with your secrets, who, when left alone in your room, turns over your papers.
alone & trust
The great rule of moral conduct is next to God, respect time.
respect
You may tell a man thou art a fiend, but not your nose wants blowing to him alone who can bear a thing of that kind, you may tell all.
alone
The jealous are possessed by a mad devil and a dull spirit at the same time.
jealousy & time
Neatness begets order but from order to taste there is the same difference as from taste to genius, or from love to friendship.
friendship