6 Novalis Quotes on History

Novalis quotes on history

1. There are ideal series of events which run parallel with the real ones. They rarely coincide. Men and circumstances generally modify the ideal train of events, so that it seems imperfect, and its consequences are equally imperfect. Thus with the Reformation; instead of Protestantism came Lutheranism.

12. As quoted by Thomas Carlyle in 'Novalis' (1829)

20. Many counterrevolutionary books have been written in favor of the Revolution. But Burke has written a revolutionary book against the Revolution.

21. Most observers of the French Revolution, especially the clever and noble ones, have explained it as a life-threatening and contagious illness. They have remained standing with the symptoms and have interpreted these in manifold and contrary ways. Some have regarded it as a merely local ill. The most ingenious opponents have pressed for castration. They well noticed that this alleged illness is nothing other than the crisis of beginning puberty.

24. Die Liebe wirkt magisch. Sie ist der Endzweck der Weltgeschichte, das Amen des Universums.

93. Novalis is a figure of such importance in German Literature, that no student of it can pass him by without attention.