Gotthold Ephraim Lessing Quote

“A heretic is a man who sees with his own eyes.”

~ Gotthold Ephraim Lessing


Ratings and Comments


Waffler, Smith, Arkansas

These are great quotes today. It seemeth to me we are losing tolerance and individual thinking in America today. I have heard Huckabee being attacked for trying to "establish religious domination". Some say the pilgrim fathers left Europe to escape such a thing.

Ethan, Clinton

While this quote does hold true in some instances, if it were true all the time, Adolf Hitler would be nothing but a "heretic." He was much more than a heretic.

Mike, Norwalk

Great quote. ... own eyes, as averse to spiritual eyes of truth, recognizing that which is (as simple as gravity, fiscal, non-aggression, etc. laws complete with resulting consequences).

E Archer, NYC

Obviously spoken tongue-in-cheek.

Ken, Allyn, WA

Sometimes I think I'm the only person left who is not an heretic!

Judith, Corrales NM

Seems to me to say that anyone who is an independent thinker can be judged crudely because the general thought has been developed through societal conditioning. Therefore the independent thinkers ideas are foreign and constitute a threat to others, thereby rejecting his thought/ideas without reflection and labeling of identifying him as a heretic. Many "witches" in Salem were burned because they dared to be different than the general conditioned woman and a threat. Maybe this is too elementary but that is my contribution.

Dan Loudon, Elk Grove, CA

This is a positive quote not a rebuke. He is a heretic to those not seeing with their own eyes. Not a rebel, nor a sinner but someone who doesn't fit in certain religious or secular worlds. Nothing to do with truth here but perception.

D W, NOLa
  • Reply
    D W, NOLa    2/3/15

    ...and makes up his own mind.

    jim k, Austin,Tx

    I've been away with a stroke and was in the hospital for about 3 weeks.

    Mike, Norwalk

    jim, good to see you back !

    E Archer, NYC

    Be well, jim k!

    @

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