63 Quotes by Johann Georg Zimmermann

Truth lies in a small compass! The Aristotelians say, all truth is contained in Aristotle, in one place or another. Galileo makes Simplicius say so, but shows the absurdity of that speech by answering all truth is contained in a lesser compass, namely, in the alphabet.

In the sallies of badinage a polite fool shines; but in gravity he is as awkward as an elephant disporting.

One ought to love society, if he wishes to enjoy solitude. It is a social nature that solitude works upon with the most various power. If one is misanthropic, and betakes himself to loneliness that he may get away from hateful things, solitude is a silent emptiness to him.

In fame’s temple there is always a niche to be found for rich dunces, importunate scoundrels, or successful butchers of the human race.

There appears to exist a greater desire to live long than to live well! Measure by man’s desires, he cannot live long enough; measure by his good deeds, and he has not lived long enough; measure by his evil deeds, and he has lived too long.

Never suffer the prejudice of the eye to determine the heart.

Sloth is the torpidity of the mental faculties; the sluggard is a living insensible.

Nobility should be elective, not hereditary.

The sluggard is a living insensible.