Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Quotes

If there is one rule I have, it is you have to remain level-headed.

Reason sits firm and holds the reins, and she will not let the feelings burst away and hurry her to wild chasms. The passions may rage furiously, like true heathens, as they are; and the desires may imagine all sorts of vain things: but judgment shall still have the last word in every argument, and the casting vote in every decision. Strong wind, earthquake-shock, and fire may pass by: but I shall follow the guiding of that still small voice which interprets the dictates of conscience.

He who doesn't lose his wits over certain things has no wits to lose.

Every man has a sane spot somewhere.

I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve. I've had my share of mood swings, believe me. But it's a powerful thing when you realize that you have dominion over your behavior and your passions.

No sane man will dance.

Human passions, like the forces of nature, are eternal; it is not a matter of denying their existence, but of assessing them and understanding them. Like the forces of nature, they can be subjected to man's deliberate act of will and be made to work in harmony with reason.

The sign of an intelligent people is their ability to control their emotions by the application of reason.

Men need knowledge in order to overpower their passions and master their prejudices.

I'm crazy, but I'm not stupid.

Man is a rational animal who always loses his temper when he is called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason.

The voice of the intelligence ... is drowned out by the roar of fear. It is ignored by the voice of desire. It is contradicted by the voice of shame. It is hissed away by hate, and extinguished by anger. Most of all it is silenced by ignorance.

I've got to control my emotions. When I fight out of emotions, it doesn't end up so well.

I want to show I can control my emotion and aggression and stay calm.

Of course, fighting is one of the most emotional things that you can possibly do. You have to constantly deal with your emotions, especially myself. I have so many that that's where I get my energy from. But it's a matter of controlling them, and yeah, I just don't let nothing affect me.

Maturity: knowing where you're crazy, trying to warn others of the fact and striving to keep yourself under control.

If you don't control your emotions, your emotions will control your acts, and that's not good.

After all it is those who have a deep and real inner life who are best able to deal with the irritating details of outer life.

I am president and do not have the right to give in to emotions. I have bad moods, very bad moods, but I never feel despair.

I think I have a very nice demeanor, but at the same time, when pushed, I will freak out. I have a backbone, but I don't feel like I'm terrible about it.

I have an adult emotional life and an editing system inside me which prevents me from being preposterously stupid.

He submits to be seen through a microscope, who suffers himself to be caught in a fit of passion.

He only employs his passion who can make no use of his reason.

Only as you do know yourself can your brain serve you as a sharp and efficient tool. Know your own failings, passions, and prejudices so you can separate them from what you see.

Those who cannot understand how to put their thoughts on ice should not enter into the heat of debate.