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.

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.

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

Do not push so fast ahead, do slow down a bit! Otherwise you won't catch up with yourselves.

Robespierre, this pedant of freedom!

Feeling and thinking are actually the blind man who carries the lame.

Boundless in your charity, but shrewd and cautious as a lender, you delight all those today whom you made beggars the day before.