I am part of the part that once was everything, Part of the darkness which gave birth to light… Mephistopheles, from Faust.

The mediator of the inexpressible is the work of art.

There is no patriotic art.

Beauty is a manifestation of secret natural laws, which otherwise would have been hidden from us forever.

This being busied with thoughts of immortality is for the noble classes and especially for women with nothing to do. A solid person, though, someone who already intends to be something worthy here, and who therefore has to strive daily, has to struggle and work, gives the world to come a rest.

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.

I wish the stage were as narrow as the wire of a tighrope dancer so that no incompetent would dare step upon it.