Surmise is the gossamer that malice blows on fair reputations, the corroding dew that destroys the choice blossom. Surmise is primarily the squint of suspicion, and suspicion is established before it is confirmed.
Johann Georg Ritter von ZimmermannIn the sallies of badinage a polite fool shines; but in gravity he is as awkward as an elephant disporting.
Johann Georg Ritter von ZimmermannUnless the habit leads to happiness the best habit is to contract none.
Johann Georg Ritter von ZimmermannMany have been ruined by their fortunes, and many have escaped ruin by the want of fortune. To obtain it the great have become little, and the little great.
Johann Georg Ritter von ZimmermannThere are few mortals so insensible that their affections cannot he gained by mildness, their confidence by sincerity, their hatred by scorn or neglect
Johann Georg Ritter von ZimmermannThe love of solitude, when cultivated in the morn of life, elevates the mind to a noble independence, but to acquire the advantages which solitude is capable of affording, the mind must not be impelled to it by melancholy and discontent, but by a real distaste to the idle pleasures of the world, a rational contempt for the deceitful joys of life, and just apprehensions of being corrupted and seduced by its insinuating and destructive gayeties.
Johann Georg Ritter von Zimmermann