The Waste Books

One of the most "aware" individuals that ever lived, Lichtenberg gives one much to chew on in one or two sentences. Only Goethe, Blake and Pascal rival him. This is the kind of book that one may pick up, open to any page, and find a gem. Interesting too that this man who was born deformed and ill-favored, spent his life in the company of young women. May we all be so lucky as to be so rich in mind and spirit that youth stands by us, even as we grow gnarled and bent.

Largely unknown in North America, Lichtenberg has since his death in 1799 been highly regarded by many German writers for his humorous and often astute aphorisms. He was, however, a scientist and mathematician, and these aphorisms are essentially a by-product of his works in those fields, and therefore are not indicative of how truly unique and interesting this man was.