What most clearly characterizes true freedom and its true employment is its misemployment.
Georg C. LichtenbergThe fruits of philosophy are the important thing, not the philosophy itself. When we ask the time, we don't want to know how watches are made.
Georg C. LichtenbergI have often noticed that when people come to understand a mathematical proposition in some other way than that of the ordinary demonstration, they promptly say, "Oh, I see. That's how it must be." This is a sign that they explain it to themselves from within their own system.
Georg C. LichtenbergThe great rule: If the little bit you have is nothing special in itself, at least find a way of saying it that is a little bit special.
Georg C. LichtenbergDo we write books so that they shall merely be read? Don't we also write them for employment in the household? For one that is read from start to finish, thousands are leafed through, other thousands lie motionless, others are jammed against mouseholes, thrown at rats, others are stood on, sat on, drummed on, have gingerbread baked on them or are used to light pipes.
Georg C. Lichtenberg