Who said “There are many kinds of smiles, each having a distinct character. Some announce goodness…”?

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

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“There are many kinds of smiles, each having a distinct character. Some announce goodness and sweetness, others betray sarcasm, bitterness and pride; some soften the countenance by their languishing tenderness, others brighten by their spiritual vivacity.”
DisputedNo reliable early source found for Johann Kaspar Lavater. · evidenceSmile

Cite this quote

APA

“There are many kinds of smiles, each having a distinct character. Some announce goodness and sweetness, others betray sarcasm, bitterness and pride; some soften the countenance by their languishing tenderness, others brighten by their spiritual vivacity.” [Quotation attributed to Johann Kaspar Lavater]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/38162-there-are-many-kinds-of-smiles-each-having/

MLA

“There are many kinds of smiles, each having a distinct character. Some announce goodness and sweetness, others betray sarcasm, bitterness and pride; some soften the countenance by their languishing tenderness, others brighten by their spiritual vivacity.” Attributed to Johann Kaspar Lavater. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/38162-there-are-many-kinds-of-smiles-each-having/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“There are many kinds of smiles, each having a distinct character. Some announce goodness and sweetness, others betray sarcasm, bitterness and pride; some soften the countenance by their languishing tenderness, others brighten by their spiritual vivacity.” Attributed to Johann Kaspar Lavater. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/38162-there-are-many-kinds-of-smiles-each-having/.