Who never ate his bread in sorrow, Who never spent the darksome hours Weeping, and watching for the morrow,- He knows you not, ye heavenly Powers.
Then to the depths! – I could as well say height: It’s all the same.
Giving is the business of the rich.
Human life-everybody lives it, but only to a few is it known.
Because everyone uses language to talk, everyone thinks he can talk about language.
You acquire a language most readily in the country where it is spoken; you study mineralogy best among miners; and so with everything else.
It is only in misery that we recognize the hand of God leading good men to good.
Only learn to seize good fortune, for good fortune’s always here.
One would give generous alms if one had the eyes to see the beauty of a cupped receiving hand.
Out of moderation a pure happiness springs.
All that is noble is in itself of a quiet nature, and appears to sleep until it is aroused and summoned forth by contrast.
People should talk less and draw more. Personally, I would like to renounce speech altogether and, like organic nature, communicate everything I have to say visually.
Nature understands no jesting. She is always true, always serious, always severe. She is always right, and the errors are always those of man.
Seldom in the business and transactions of ordinary life, do we find the sympathy we want.
On the pinnacle of success man does not stand firm long.
I know nothing more mocking than a devil that despairs.
No prudent antagonist thinks light of his adversaries.
Nature reacts not only to physical disease, but also to moral weakness; when the danger increases; she gives us greater courage.
I have so much in me, and the feeling for her absorbs it all; I have so much, and without her it all comes to nothing.
Who longs in solitude to live, Ah! soon his wish will gain: Men hope and love, men get and give, and leave him to his pain.