The following are the universally fundamental laws of literary communication: 1. one must have something to communicate; 2. one must have someone to whom to communicate it; 3. one must really communicate it, not merely express it for oneself alone. Otherwise it would be more to the point to remain silent.

Whoever could properly characterize Goethe's Meister would have actually expressed what is the timely trend in literature. He would be able, as far as literary criticism is concerned, to rest.

When ideas become gods, consciousness of harmony becomes devotion, humility, and hope.

Nothing is more piquant than when a man of genius possesses mannerisms; not so when they possess him -- this leads to spiritual petrification.

Set religion free, and a new humanity will begin.

Every form of life is in its origin not natural, but divine and human; for it must spring from love, just as there can be no reason without spirit.

An aphorism ought to be entirely isolated from the surrounding world like a little work of art and complete in itself like a hedgehog.