Konrad Zacharias Lorenz was an Austrian zoologist, ethologist, and ornithologist. He shared the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Nikolaas Tinbergen and Karl von Frisch.
He is often regarded as one of the founders of modern ethology, the study of animal behavior and best known for his discovery of the principle of attachment, or imprinting, through which in some species a bond is formed between a new born animal and its caregiver. Inspirational Konrad Lorenz quotes will encourage you to think a little deeper than you usually would and broaden your perspective.
If you’re searching for life quotes and sayings that perfectly capture what you’d like to say or just want to feel inspired yourself, browse through an amazing collection of powerful Richard Dawkins quotes, famous Louis Pasteur quotes, and top Noam Chomsky quotes.
Most Famous Konrad Lorenz Quotes
Historians will have to face the fact that natural selection determined the evolution of cultures in the same manner as it did that of species. Konrad Lorenz,
As the twig is bent, so the tree is inclined. Konrad Lorenz
I have found that even highly irascible people who, in a rage, seem to lose all control of their actions, still refrain from smashing really valuable objects, preferring cheaper crockery. Konrad Lorenz
El cortejo de un ganso gris nos parece irresistiblemente cómico, porque los jóvenes de nuestra especie se comportan de manera muy parecida. Konrad Lorenz
There are no good biologists whose vocation was not born of deep joy in the beauties of living nature. Konrad Lorenz
Sólo hay un ser que dispone de armas que no han crecido con su cuerpo y de las cuales, por tanto, nada saben sus formas innatas de comportamiento; de aquí que no existan las consabidas y eficaces inhibiciones. Este ser es el hombre. Konrad Lorenz
A barking dog may occasionally bite, but laughing men hardly shoot! Konrad Lorenz
Pero no se comprende tan claramente cómo semejante ritualización es en el hombre fruto de la transmisión histórica de un pueblo, mientras que en el animal representa un desarrollo filogenético de formas de movimiento innatas y hereditarias. Konrad Lorenz
Humor and knowledge are the two great hopes of our culture. Konrad Lorenz
Most of the vices and mortal sins condemned today correspond to inclinations that were purely adaptive or at least harmless in primitive man. Konrad Lorenz
In science, new ideas are at first completely neglected, later fiercely attacked, and finally regarded as well known. Konrad Lorenz
Historians will have to face the fact that natural selection determined the evolution of cultures in the same manner as it did that of species. Konrad Lorenz
One could not be a successful scientist without realizing that, a goodly number of scientists are not only narrow minded and dull, but also just stupid. Konrad Lorenz
A man sufficiently gifted with humor is in small danger of succumbing to flattering delusions about himself, because he cannot help perceiving what a pompous ass he would become if he did. Konrad Lorenz
Every scientist should, after all, regard it as his duty to tell the public, in a generally intelligible way, about what he is doing. Konrad Lorenz
The specialist knows more and more about less and less and finally knows everything about nothing. Konrad Lorenz
The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. Konrad Lorenz
I owe undying gratitude to my patient parents. Konrad Lorenz
The bond with a dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be. Konrad Lorenz
I have found the missing link between the higher ape and civilized man: It is we. Konrad Lorenz
Just thinking that my dog loves me more than I love him, I feel shame. Konrad Lorenz
Aggression in very many animals and probably also in man is an essential component of personal friendship. Konrad Lorenz
There is no faith which has never yet been broken, except that of a truly faithful dog. Konrad Lorenz
Scientific truth is universal because it is only discovered by the human brain and not made by it, as art is. Konrad Lorenz, On Aggression
The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift. Konrad Lorenz
Emotional loyalty to an institutionalized norm does not make it a value, otherwise war, even modern technical war, would be one Konrad Lorenz, On Aggression
Barking dogs may occasionally bite, but laughing men hardly ever shoot! Konrad Lorenz
Hatred of humanity and love of animals make a very bad combination. Konrad Lorenz, Man Meets Dog
Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise.
Most of the vices and mortal sins condemned today correspond to inclinations that were purely adaptive or at least harmless in primitive man. Konrad Lorenz, On aggression
Man appears to be the missing link between anthropoid apes and human beings. Konrad Lorenz
Philosophers are people who know less and less about more and more, until they know nothing about everything. Scientists are people who know more and more about less and less, until they know everything about nothing. Konrad Lorenz
The instinctive need to be the member of a closely knit group fighting for common ideals may grow so strong that it becomes inessential what these ideals are. Konrad Lorenz, On Aggression
Every man gets a narrower and narrower field of knowledge in which he must be an expert in order to compete with other people. The specialist knows more and more about less and less and finally knows everything about nothing. Konrad Lorenz
All scientific knowledge to which man owes his role as master of the world arose from playful activities. Konrad Lorenz, Studies in animal and human behavior
Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to a minimum. Konrad Lorenz
There is indeed the possibility that the evolutionary process has, in gray antiquity, bred into us an excess of aggression. Konrad Lorenz
The father mother family with two children isolated in a city flat is already insufficient. Konrad Lorenz
Man has no need of minute intention displaying movements to announce his momentary mood: he can say it in words. Konrad Lorenz, King Solomon’s Ring
Whenever we find, in two forms of life that are unrelated to each other, a similarity of form or of behavior patterns which relates to more than a few minor details, we assume it to be caused by parallel adaptation to the same life preserving function. Konrad Lorenz
I believe that present day civilized man suffers from insufficient discharge of his aggressive drive. Konrad Lorenz, On Aggression
It is a good morning exercise for a research scientist to discard a pet hypothesis every day before breakfast. It keeps him young. Konrad Lorenz
It is a good morning exercise for a research scientist to discard a pet hypothesis every day before breakfast. Konrad Lorenz
We do not take humor seriously enough. Konrad Lorenz
Few animals display their mood via facial expressions as distinctly as cats. Konrad Lorenz
Evil, by definition, is that which endangers the good, and the good is what we perceive as a value. Konrad Lorenz
The truth about an animal is far more exciting and altogether more beautiful than all the myths woven about it. Konrad Lorenz
I believe that present day civilized man suffers from insufficient discharge of his aggressive drive. Konrad Lorenz
The cat is a wild animal that inhabits the homes of humans. Konrad Lorenz
I have found the missing link between the higher ape and civilized man; it is we. Konrad Lorenz
If the flap of a butterfly’s wings can be instrumental in generating a tornado, it can equally well be instrumental in preventing a tornado. Konrad Lorenz
I owe undying gratitude to my patient parents. Konrad Lorenz
In nature, we find not only that which is expedient, but also everything which is not so inexpedient as to endanger the existence of the species. Konrad Lorenz
Historians will have to face the fact that natural selection determined the evolution of cultures in the same manner as it did that of species. Konrad Lorenz
In the higher animals the ability and inclination to do damage is, unfortunately, in direct proportion to the degree of their intelligence it is impossible to leave certain animals, particularly monkeys, permanently loose and without supervision. Konrad Lorenz
Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to a minimum. Konrad Lorenz
The bond with a dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be. Konrad Lorenz
There is indeed the possibility that the evolutionary process has, in gray antiquity, bred into us an excess of aggression. Konrad Lorenz
It ought to be realized by all dog owners that obesity shortens a dog’s life quite considerably. Konrad Lorenz
I grew up in the large house and the larger garden of my parents in Altenberg. They were supremely tolerant of my inordinate love for animals. Konrad Lorenz
Just thinking that my dog loves me more than I love him, I feel shame. Konrad Lorenz
Whenever we find, in two forms of life that are unrelated to each other, a similarity of form or of behavior patterns which relates to more than a few minor details, we assume it to be caused by parallel adaptation to the same life preserving function. Konrad Lorenz
Neither the dog nor the cat is a slave, but only the dog is a friend. Konrad Lorenz
There is no faith which has never yet been broken, except that of a truly faithful dog. Konrad Lorenz
