We are surrounded by abysses, but the greatest of all depths is in our own heart, and an irresistible leaning leads us there. Draw thyself from thyself!
Thou shalt abstain, Renounce, refrain.
Every bird has its decoy, and every man is led and misled in his own peculiar way.
Great possessions and great want of them are both strong temptations.
Care is taken that trees do not grow into the sky.
What do people mean when they talk about unhappiness? It is not so much unhappiness as impatience that from time to time possesses men, and then they choose to call themselves miserable.
Water its living strength first shows, When obstacles its course oppose.
The mortal race is far too weak not to grow dizzy on unwonted brights.
What one has wished for in youth, in old age one has in abundance.
With little wit and ease to suit them, They whirl in narrow circling trails, Like kittens playing with their tails.
We can redeem anyone who strives unceasingly.
Beauty is at once the ultimate principle and the highest aim of art.
A genuine work of art usually displeases at first sight, as it suggests a deficiency in the spectator.
Art will always be art.
True works of art are a manifestation of the higher laws of nature.
Every beginning is cheerful.
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiation – creation – there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans...
To act is easy, to think is hard; to act according to our thought is troublesome.
I hate everything that merely instructs me without augmenting or directly invigorating my activity.
The threshold is the place of expectation.