The way in which modern German poetry follows theories reminds me of pupils who, scolded by their teacher for their insubordination, justify themselves by saying that they invented new rules of propriety according to which they are quite well- behaved.

Trying to conceal a crime is like burying a seed in the ground.

Gold is the gift of vanity and common pride, but flowers are the gift of love and friendship.

A man may welcome his beloved with circumstance, but a woman's love and her concern for his well-being are discreet.

The first indication of a young person's growing smarter is that he no longer understands the things which he used to consider quite intelligible and self-evident.

Never expect any recognition here--the system prohibits it. The cross is not affixed to the genius, no, the genius is affixed to the cross.

Our age believed herself pregnant with auspicious progeny, but when her hour came, it turned out to be dropsy.