A book can never be anything more than the impression of its authorโs thoughts. The value of these thoughts lies either in the matter about which he has thought, or in the form in which he develops his matter โ that is to say, what he has thought about it.
Arthur SchopenhauerThe poet presents the imagination with images from life and human characters and situations, sets them all in motion and leaves itto the beholder to let these images take his thoughts as far as his mental powers will permit. This is why he is able to engage men of the most differing capabilities, indeed fools and sages together. The philosopher, on the other hand, presents not life itself but the finished thoughts which he has abstracted from it and then demands that the reader should think precisely as, and precisely as far as, he himself thinks. That is why his public is so small.
Arthur SchopenhauerEvery state of welfare, every feeling of satisfaction, is negative in its character; that is to say, it consists in freedom from pain, which is the positive element of existence.
Arthur Schopenhauer