When one is polite in German, one lies.

It is not given to us to grasp the truth, which is identical with the divine, directly. We perceive it only in reflection, in example and symbol, in singular and related appearances. It meets us as a kind of life which is incomprehensible to us, and yet we cannot free ourselves from the desire to comprehend it.

Our virtues and view spring from one root.

Every man has enough power left to carry out that of which he is convinced.

The world runs on from one folly to another; and the man who, solely from regard to the opinion of others, and without any wish or necessity of his own, toils after gold, honour, or any other phantom, is no better than a fool.

There is nothing more frightful than for a teacher to know only what his scholars are intended to know.

A phenomenon like Mozart remains an inexplicable thing.