Since you know me and my destiny only too well, you probably also know what attracts me to all unfortunate people.

If the whole world I once could see On free soil stand, with the people free Then to the moment might I say, Linger awhile. . .so fair thou art.

While man's desires and aspirations stir he cannot choose but err.

The people who are absent are the ideal; those who are present seem to be quite commonplace.

Nothing is more fearful than imagination without taste.

We learn to treasure what is above this earth; we long for revelation, which nowhere burns more purely and more beautifully than in the New Testament.

As for what I have done as a poet, I take no pride in whatever. Excellent poets have lived at the same time with me, poets more excellent lived before me, and others will come after me. But that in my country I am the only person who knows the truth in the difficult science of colors-of that, I say, I am not a little proud, and here have a consciousness of superiority to many.