Georg C. Lichtenberg Quotes

Beware of over-confidence; especially in matters of structure.

When a house is being built which is to be made as strong as possible, the building takes place in fine weather and in calm, so that nothing may hinder the structure from acquiring the needed solidity.

A house built on sand is, in fair weather, just as good as if builded on a rock. A cobweb is as good as the mightiest chain cable when there is no strain on it. It is trial that proves one thing weak and another strong.

Wisdom prepares for the worst, but folly leaves the worst for the day when it comes.

Precaution is better than cure.

If we insist on being as sure as is conceivable... we must be content to creep along the ground, and never soar.

I'm always inspired when there's a robustness to the material in front of me.

Never sell the bear's skin before one has killed the beast.

I don't get in a position to be frightened. I don't do anything dangerous, and I always pay my bills.

In fair weather prepare for foul.

You can't rely on luck. I've had some stages in my career where I've said we're going to wing it, and we've always ended up in trouble.

A mouse never entrusts his life to only one hole.

It is not the beauty of a building you should look at; its the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time.

Unfortunates learn from their own mistakes, and the lucky ones learn from other's mistakes.

Early and provident fear is the mother of safety.

You want to harbor your resources and try not to make a mistake.

A lasting architecture has to have roots.

You don't need planning permission to build castles in the sky

Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand. Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

Never saw off the branch you are on, unless you are being hanged from it.

Fortune is said to be blind, but her favorites never are. Ambition has the eye of the eagle, prudence that of the lynx; the first looks through the air, the last along the ground.

The most solid stone in the structure is the lowest one in the foundation.

Better one safe way than a hundred on which you cannot reckon.

He who is not a bird should not build his nest over abysses.

Forethought spares afterthought.