From a distance the rushing of the torrent delights and uplifts us, but it rocks us in a flimsy boat, we are overwhelmed by despair. The same applies to danger.

Bunglers and pedants judge art according to genre; they approve of this and dismiss that genre, but instead of genres, the open-minded connoisseur appreciates only individual works.

No spoon has yet destroyed a mouth, but the knife of war cuts portions that are hard to swallow. Perhaps the big mouths of the privileged are able to cope with them, but they dull the teeth of the little people and ruin their stomachs.

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

The Germans believe that, no matter where, they can get by on knowledge alone. Art, however, requires skill.

I would love to be able to write a tragedy in my imagination--it would turn into a masterpiece.

To enlist the support of the people and of parliament, you only have to propose a profitable villainy.