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.

It is fair to despise a cowardly man, but the female sex is strongest when it's weak.

Whoever places his trust into a system will soon be without a home. While you are building your third story, the two lower ones have already been dismantled.

Compilers resemble gluttonous eaters who devour excessive quantities of healthy food just to excrete them as refuse.

Science and art, or by the same token, poetry and prose differ from one another like a journey and an excursion. The purpose of the journey is its goal, the purpose of an excursion is the process.

Why does the past look so enticing to us? For the same reason why from a distance a meadow with flowers looks like a flower bed.

If we notice a few errors in the work of a proven master, we may and even will often be correct; if we believe, however, that he is completely and utterly mistaken, we are in danger of missing his entire concept.