The office of the prince and that of the writer are defined and assigned as follows: the nobleman gives rank to the written work,the writer provides food for the prince.

The likeness of the world? A shadow! And world's glory? A dream!

Much as I honor the wisdom of the princess--there is something more dashing about a man.

I notice well that one stray step from the habitual path leads irresistibly into a new direction. Life moves forward, it never reverses its course.

A wise man can and should stand above his times, not so the poet, but he should be their apex.

At certain times, men regard poetry merely as a bright flame, but to women it was, and always will be, a warm fire.

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.