17 Franz Grillparzer Quotes

Franz Grillparzer quotes

1. Let the famous not denounce fame. Far from being empty and meaningless, it fills those it touches with divine power.

2. Why do comparisons of words and tone poems (poetry and music) never take into consideration that the word is a mere signifier, but that the sound, aside from being a signifier, is also an object?

3. When mundane, lowly activities are at stake, too much insight is detrimental-far-sightedness errs in immediate concerns.

4. I'd wish the government took honest people into consideration, it shows enough consideration for scoundrels.

5. I love the pride whose measure is its own eminence and not the insignificance of someone else.

1. If only it were God's will that printed and written materials have as much influence on the people as the princes and their censors fear! Considering the countless good books we have, the world would have changed for the better a long time ago.

2. Plato calls complacency the companion of loneliness.

3. The noble woman is half a man, even a complete one. Only their imperfections make them women.

4. It's the misfortune of German authors that not a single one of them dares to expose his true character. Everyone thinks that he has to be better than he is.

5. Genius resembles a bell; in order to ring it must be suspended into pure air, and when a foreign body touches it, its joyful toneis silenced.

6. Whoever considers morality the main objective of human existence, seems to me like a person who defines the purpose of a clock asnot going wrong. The first objective for a clock, is, however, that it does run; not going wrong is an additional regulative function. If not a watch's greatest accomplishment were not going wrong, unwound watches might be the best.

7. Those who want to row on the ocean of human knowledge do not get far, and the storm drives those out of their course who set sail.

8. The military and the clergy cause us much annoyance; the clergy and the military, they empty our wallets and rob our intelligence.

9. Much as I honor the wisdom of the princess--there is something more dashing about a man.

10. Only by himself, with one acre and a house, will a dunce be a dunce. Once he manages to gain power, he'll turn into a scoundrel.

11. The old harlot, German philosophy, has finally turnedinto a church lady.

12. Is it true that one travels in order to know mankind? It is easier to get to know other people at home, but abroad one gets to know oneself.