Page:The reflections of Lichtenberg.djvu/28

 The subject of this observation was a man very generous of whatever cost him nothing, and above all of compliments; a man who never offended anybody—at least, one never knew of it; who always had a pleasant look, and was so modest that his voice bordered on the doleful; he passed with some people for a virtuous, and with most for a humble soul; he was in short one of that fairly numerous class of men whom in England they usually honour with the name of "sneaking rascals."

There are certain people who readily make friends with everybody, hate them again and then love them,—all with the same despatch. If we represent the human race to ourselves as a whole, in which every piece fits into its particular place, the sort I mean would constitute such pieces as could be thrown in anywhere to fill up. Men of genius are seldom found among this species, notwithstanding that they are most easily mistaken for members of it.

If men were to describe their dreams exactly we might perhaps learn much about their character. This would require, however, not merely one but a good number of dreams.

Passionate ambition and suspicion I have invariably found to go together.

People who have not thoroughly mastered the fine art of dissimulation, yet labour to deceive others, commonly disclose the general character of their