As far as the arts and the sciences are concerned, the German mind appreciates most highly that which it does not understand of the latter, and that which it does not enjoy of the former.

A book is quite a beautiful thing, even more so learning. Together, however, all they amount to is called book-learning.

Strength, strength alone, is honorable, the German nation clamors in its majesty. But since it is hard to muster strength so suddenly, they have to make do with boorishness.

A pious woman's neighbor, a philanthropist's child, a liberal's servant--these three have a hard life.

They are miserly, the princes of Austria, you need not grieve about it; they may not donate anything, but they allow themselves tobe fleeced, the good lords.

Caution is the daughter of circumspection, but she tends to outgrow her mother.

You even called me stupid in your verse, and I'm almost agreeing, for where stupidity is involved, you are quite an expert, friend.