Wild dreams torment me as I lie. And though a god lives in my heart, though all my power waken at his word, though he can move my every inmost part - yet nothing in the outer world is stirred. thus by existence tortured and oppressed I crave for death, I long for rest.

Know thyself? If I knew myself I would run away.

What people call the spirit of the times is mostly their own spirit in which the times mirror themselves.

The true poet is called to take in the splendor of the world and for that reason will always be inclined to praise rather than tofind fault.

You don't love if you don't take the beloved's faults for virtues.

The highest cannot be spoken; it can only be acted.

There are people who pay attention to the weaknesses of their friends; that is to no avail. I have always closely watched and profited from the strengths of my adversaries.