Franz Seraphicus Grillparzerwas an Austrian writer who is chiefly known for his dramas. He also wrote the oration for Ludwig van Beethoven's funeral... (wikipedia)
A tailor can adapt to any medium, be it poetry, be it criticism. As a poet, he can mend, and with the scissors of criticism he candivide.
The present is never poetic as it serves necessity, necessity, however, is prosaic.
The state has no religion for the simple reason that it has each and everyone.
The spirit of poetry combines the profundity of the philosopher and the child's delight in bright pictures.
A wise man can and should stand above his times, not so the poet, but he should be their apex.
Why must ancients, and provided the same talent, be better than modern authors? Free to exploit the vast realm of the simpleand the natural, they did not have to be artificial in order to be original (which every artist aspires to be).
The manifestation of poetry in external life is formal perfection. True sentiment grows within, and art must represent internal phenomena externally.
Our age believed herself pregnant with auspicious progeny, but when her hour came, it turned out to be dropsy.
When receiving an order, many servants repeat their "yes" numerous times, especially the lazy ones.
A book is quite a beautiful thing, even more so learning. Together, however, all they amount to is called book-learning.
Dilettantes appreciate the work, professors the master at the same time.
A flutist who is moved to tears by his own performance will soon make the listeners laugh because of the sounds that he produces.
Beauty satisfies the senses completely and at the same time uplifts the soul. That which gratifies the senses is pleasant, and that which uplifts the soul without being sensual in the least is good, true, right, anything you like, but not beautiful.
A person who looks different all the time frightens me. Only one animal changes its skin: the snake.
Women, children, Tyroleans and preachers want to create a new kingdom of God, but the God of their kingdom looks like women, children, preachers, and Tyrolians.
The old harlot, German philosophy, has finally turned into a church lady.
Since people no longer attend church, theater remains as the only public service, and literature as the only private devotion.
The way in which modern German poetry follows theories reminds me of pupils who, scolded by their teacher for their insubordination, justify themselves by saying that they invented new rules of propriety according to which they are quite well- behaved.
The course of modern learning leads from humanism via nationalism to bestiality.
I love the pride whose measure is its own eminence and not the insignificance of someone else.