Who said “The most perfect ape cannot draw an ape; only man can do that; but, likewise, only man…”?

Verified

Georg C. Lichtenberg. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceNotebook J (1789)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Notebook J (1789).

APA

Lichtenberg, G. C. (n.d.). The most perfect ape cannot draw an ape; only man can do that; but, likewise, only man regards the ability to do this as a sign of superiority. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28782-the-most-perfect-ape-cannot-draw-an-ape/

MLA

Lichtenberg, Georg C. “The most perfect ape cannot draw an ape; only man can do that; but, likewise, only man regards the ability to do this as a sign of superiority.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28782-the-most-perfect-ape-cannot-draw-an-ape/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Lichtenberg, Georg C. “The most perfect ape cannot draw an ape; only man can do that; but, likewise, only man regards the ability to do this as a sign of superiority.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28782-the-most-perfect-ape-cannot-draw-an-ape/.