Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Quotes

A heretic is a man who sees with his own eyes.

man eyes

Let us be lazy in everything, except in loving and drinking, except in being lazy.

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The true value of man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth. It is not possession of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectability is to be found. Possession makes one passive, indolent and proud. If God were to hold all Truth concealed in his right hand, and in his left only the steady and diligent drive for Truth, albeit with the proviso that I would always and forever err in the process, and to offer me the choice, I would with all humility take the left hand.

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It is not the truth that a man possesses, or believes that he possesses, but the earnest effort which he puts forward to reach the truth, which constitutes the worth of a man.

effort worth man truth

What is a hero without love for mankind?

The most deadly fruit is borne by the hatred which one grafts on an extinguished friendship.

friendship

They make glorious shipwreck who are lost in seeking worlds.

shipwreck