Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Quotes on Knowledge
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing was a German Enlightenment philosopher, dramatist, and critic and one of the most important figures in the development of modern German letters. This page collects quotes attributed to Gotthold Ephraim Lessing on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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Attributed to Gotthold Ephraim Lessing:
“If God held all truth in his right hand and in his left only the steady and diligent striving for truth, I would humbly choose the left hand.”
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Attributed to Gotthold Ephraim Lessing:
“Education is to man what mould is to bricks; it forms the shape of the soul.”
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Attributed to Gotthold Ephraim Lessing:
“Read the most ancient books with the same care that you would the most modern.”
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“Was ist ein Held ohne Menschenliebe?”
What is a hero without love for mankind? Philotas (1759), Act 1, Scene 7 -
“Denn zu einem großen Manne gehört beides: Kleinigkeiten als Kleinigkeiten, und wichtige Dinge als wichtige Dinge zu behandeln.”
It is the mark of great people to treat trifles as trifles and important matters as important. Hamburgische Dramaturgie (1767 - 1769), Vierunddreißigstes Stück Den 25. August 1767 -
“It is the mark of great people to treat trifles as trifles and important matters as important. Hamburgische Dramaturgie (1767 - 1769), Vierunddreißigstes Stück Den 25. August 1767”
Denn zu einem großen Manne gehört beides: Kleinigkeiten als Kleinigkeiten, und wichtige Dinge als wichtige Dinge zu behandeln. -
“Perlen bedeuten Tränen.”
Pearls mean tears. Emilia Galotti (1772), Act II, scene VIII -
“Pearls mean tears. Emilia Galotti (1772), Act II, scene VIII”
Perlen bedeuten Tränen. -
“Besserer Rat kommt über Nacht.”
Better counsel comes overnight. Emilia Galotti (1772), Act IV, scene III -
“Better counsel comes overnight. Emilia Galotti (1772), Act IV, scene III”
Besserer Rat kommt über Nacht. -
“Und ein Vergnügen erwarten, ist auch ein Vergnügen.”
To look forward to pleasure is also a pleasure. Minna von Barnhelm (1763), , Act IV, scene VI