Page:The reflections of Lichtenberg.djvu/38

 things, then, and not words! For even “infinite”, “eternal”, “always”, have, as we see, lost their significance. People make a great mistake in trying to judge a man’s character or opinions from what he says and does in company. It is not always under the eye of a philosopher that we speak and act: an evening’s pleasure may hang upon a sophistry. Does any sensible man judge Cicero’s philosophy from his orations? It is incredible that false politeness can be carried so far as for people to pay compliments to each other when getting into the carriages at a funeral. What astonished him was that cats should have two holes cut in their coats exactly at the places where their eyes were. Some people actually show a gift for pretending to be stupid before they become intelligent. Girls very frequently possess this gift. Mankind loves company, even if it is no more than that of a burning candle. Never trust a man who lays his hand on his heart when he assures you of anything. When men-folk are watching them, nursemaids kiss and rock children with vigour; whereas when women are looking on they handle them quietly.