The miller imagines that the corn grows only to make his mill turn.

They should be ashamed of themselves, all these sober people!

I hate all explanations; they who make them deceive either themselves or the other party,-generally both.

Music is either sacred or secular. The sacred agrees with its dignity, and here has its greatest effect on life, an effect that remains the same through all ages and epochs. Secular music should be cheerful throughout.

All truly wise thoughts have been thought already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, until they take root in our personal experience.

I nothing had, and yet enough for youth--Joy in Illusion, ardent thirst for Truth. Give unrestrained, the old emotion, The bliss that touched the verge of pain, The strength of Hate, Love's deep devotion,--O, give me back my youth again!

The artist alone sees spirits. But after he has told of their appearing to him, everybody sees them.