Who said “He knows very little of mankind who expects, by any facts or reasoning, to convince a…”?

Disputed

It's credited to Johann Kaspar Lavater, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable early source found for Johann Kaspar Lavater.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Cite this quote

APA

“He knows very little of mankind who expects, by any facts or reasoning, to convince a determined party man.” [Quotation attributed to Johann Kaspar Lavater]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/30171-he-knows-very-little-of-mankind-who-expects/

MLA

“He knows very little of mankind who expects, by any facts or reasoning, to convince a determined party man.” Attributed to Johann Kaspar Lavater. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/30171-he-knows-very-little-of-mankind-who-expects/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“He knows very little of mankind who expects, by any facts or reasoning, to convince a determined party man.” Attributed to Johann Kaspar Lavater. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/30171-he-knows-very-little-of-mankind-who-expects/.