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Quotes by Schiller
140 quotations from The Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations (1896), with the subject each one is filed under.
Was der Ameise Vernunft mühsam zu Haufen schleppt, jagt in einem Hui der Wind des Zufalls zusammen. What the reason of the ant laboriously drags into a heap, the wind of accident will collect in one breath.— filed under Accident
Vom sichern Port lässt sich's gemächlich rathen. One can advise comfortably from a safe port.— filed under Advice
of Beauty. Seraphs share with thee Knowledge; But Art, O Man, is thine alone!— filed under Art
Kunst ist die rechte Hand der Natur. Diese hat nur Geschöpfe, jene hat Menschen gemacht. Art is the right hand of Nature. The latter has only given us being, the former has made us men.— filed under Art
Schwer ist die Kunst, vergänglich ist ihr Preis. Art is difficult, transient is her reward.— filed under Beauty
Von der Freiheit gesäugt wachsen die Künste der Lust. All the arts of pleasure grow when suckled by freedom.— filed under Beauty
Die Wahrheit ist vorhanden für den Weisen. Die Schönheit für ein fühlend Herz. Truth exists for the wise, beauty for the feeling heart.— filed under Beauty
And this be the vocation fit, For which the founder fashioned it: High, high above earth's life, earth's labor E'en to the heaven's blue vault to soar. To hover as the thunder's neighbor, The very firmament explore. To be a voice as from above Like yonder stars so bright and clear, That praise their Maker as they move, And usher in the circling year. Tun'd be its metal mouth alone To things eternal and sublime. And as the swift wing'd hours speed on May it record the flight of time!— filed under Bells
E. A. Bowring's trans. Around, around, Companions all, take your ground, And name the bell with joy profound CONCORDIA is the word we've found Most meet to express the harmonious sound, That calls to those in friendship bound.— filed under Bells
Through the bride's fair locks so dear Twines the virgin chaplet bright, When the church bells ringing clear To the joyous feast invite.— filed under Bells
Dem Muthigen hilft Gott. God helps the brave.— filed under Bravery
Wer gar zu viel bedenkt, wird wenig leisten. He that is overcautious will accomplish little.— filed under Care
Glücklicher Säugling! dir ist ein unendlicher Raum noch die Wiege, Werde Mann, und dir wird eng die unend. liche Welt. Happy child! the cradle is still to thee a vast space; but when thou art a man the boundless world will be too small for thee.— filed under Childhood
Wage du zu irren und zu träumen. Hoher Sinn liegt oft im kind'schen Spiel. Dare to err and to dream. Deep meaning often lies in childish plays.— filed under Childhood
P. 517 (1702). Ed. 1856. Tel maître, tel valet. As the master so the valet. Like master, like man. Attributed to CHEVALIER BAYARD by M. Ciniber. Einem ist sie die hohe, die himmlische Göttin, dem andern Eine tüchtige Kuh, die ihn mit Butter versorgt. To one it is a mighty heavenly goddess, to the other an excellent cow that furnishes' him with butter.— filed under Conscience
Ein tiefer Sinn wohnt in den alten Bräuchen. A deep meaning often lies in old customs.— filed under Custom
Nicht fremder Brauch gedeiht in einem Lande. Strange customs do not thrive in foreign soil.— filed under Custom
Gut' Nacht, Gordon. Ich denke einen langen Schlaf zu thun. Good night, Gordon. I am thinking of taking a long sleep.— filed under Custom
Oh, stanch thy bootlesse teares, thy weeping is in vaine; I am not lost, for we in heaven shall one day meet againe. Roxburghe Ballads. The Bride's Buriall. Edited by Chas. Hindley. Day's lustrous eyes grow heavy in sweet death.— filed under Death
1. 121. Wer gar zu viel bedenkt wird wenig leisten. He who considers too much will perform little.— filed under Deeds
Your deeds are known, In words that kindle glory from the stone.— filed under Raupach
O Brethren, weep to-day, The silent God hath quenched my Torch's ray, And the vain dream hath flown.— filed under Dreams
Yes, He is ris'n who is the First and Last; Who was and is; who liveth and was dead; Beyond the reach of death He now has pass'd, Of the one glorious Church the glorious Head. $. HORATIUS BONAR, D.D.-He is Risen. EASTER.. Alas! when duty grows thy law, enjoyment fades away.— filed under Easter
A merely fallen enemy may rise again, but the reconciled one is truly vanquished.— filed under Enjoyment
E. Die schönen Tage in Aranjuez Sind nun zu Ende. The lovely days in Aranjuez are now at an end.— filed under Enthusiasm
Ich bin der Letzte meines Stamms; mein Name Endet mit mir. I am the last of my race. My name ends with me.— filed under Enthusiasm
Zwang erbittert die Schwärmer immer, aber bekehrt sie nie. Opposition embitters the enthusiast but never converts him.— filed under Enthusiasm
Das eben ist der Fluch der bösen That, Das sie fortzeugend immer Böses muss gebären. The very curse of an evil deed is that it must always continue to engender evil.— filed under Evil
Das Leben ist der Güter höchstes nicht Der Uebel grösstes aber ist die Schuld. Life is not the supreme good, but the su preme evil is to realize one's guilt.— filed under Experience
Der Zug des Herzens ist des Schicksals Stimme. The heart's impulse is the voice of fate.— filed under Fate
Mach deine Rechnung mit dem Himmel, Vogt! Fort musst du, deine Uhr ist abgelaufen. Make thine account with Heaven, governor, Thou must away, thy sand is run.— filed under Fate
Il faut tout attendre et tout craindre du temps et des hommes. We must expect everything and fear everything from time and from men. e. CII. Ich weiss, dass man vor leeren Schrecken zittert; Doch wahres Unglück bringt der falsche Wahn. I know that oft we tremble at an empty terror, but the false phantasm brings a real misery.— filed under Fear
Wenn ich einmal zu fürchten angefangen Hab' ich zu fürchten aufgehört. As soon as I have begun to fear I have ceased to fear.— filed under Fear
Wer nichts fürchtet ist nicht weniger mächtig, als der, den Alles fürchtet. The man who fears nothing is not less powerful than he who is feared by every one.— filed under Fear
Est ist hier wie in den alten Zeiten Wo die Klinge noch alles that bedeuten. It is now as in the days of yore when the sword ruled all things.— filed under Fortune
C. Boston Port Bill, 1774. Free soil, free men, free speech, Fremont. Republican Rallying Cry, 1856. Freedom is only in the land of Dreams :— filed under Freedom
convie. Der Mensch ist frei geschaffen, ist frei Und würd' er in Ketten geboren. Man is created free, and is free, even though born in chains.— filed under Freedom
2. 54. Freiheit ist nur in dem Reich der Träume Und das Schöne blüht nur im Gesang. Freedom is only in the land of dreams, and the beautiful only blooms in song.— filed under Freedom
There is no treasure the which may be compared unto a faithful friend; Gold soone decayeth, and worldly wealth consumeth, and wasteth in the winde; But love once planted in a perfect and pure minde indureth weale and woe; The frownes of fortune, come they never so unkinde, cannot the same overthrowe. Roxburghe Ballads. The Bride's Good- Morrow. Ed. by John Payne Collier. Dear is my friend-yet from my foe, as from my friend, comes good: My friend shows what I can do, and my foe what I should.— filed under Friends
Imposteurs. Es lebt ein Gott zu strafen und zu rächen. There is a God to punish and avenge.— filed under God
Never the grave gives back what it has won!— filed under Gratitude
Motto. Es ist der Fluch der Hohen, dass die Niedern Sich ihres offnen Ohrs bemächtigen. The curse of greatness : Ears ever open to the babbler's tale.— filed under Greatness
Im engen Kreis verengert sich der Sinn. Es wächst der Mensch mit seinen grössern Zwecken. In a narrow circle the mind contracts. Man grows with his expanded needs.— filed under Growth
Des Menschen Wille, das ist sein Glück. The will of a man is his happiness.— filed under Growth
25, Ich habe genossen das irdische Glück, Ich habe gelebt und geliebet. I have enjoyed earthly happiness, I have lived and loved.— filed under Growth
I. 2. 20. Die Weltgeschichte ist das Weltgericht. The world's history is the world's judgment.— filed under History
battle of Pavia. See CHATEAUBRIAND -Études Historiques. I. P. 128. Das Herz und nicht die Meinung ehrt den Mann. What he feels and not what he does honors a man.— filed under Hope
Nichtswürdig ist die Nation, die nicht Ihr alles freudig setzt an ihre Ehre. That nation is worthless which does not joyfully stake everything on her honor.— filed under Hope
Verzweifle keiner je, dem in der trübsten Nacht Der Hoffnung letzte Sterne schwinden. Let no one despair, even though in the darkest night the last star of hope may disappear.— filed under Hope
Not he who scorns the Saviour's yoke Should wear his cross upon the heart.— filed under Hypocrisy
O, der alles vergrössernden Eifersucht. O jealousy! thou magnifier of trifles.— filed under Jealousy
Der Spass verliert Alles, wenn der Spassmacher selber lacht. A jest loses its point when the jester laughs himself.— filed under Jesting
Joy, in Nature's wide dominion, Mightiest cause of all is found; And 'tis Joy that moves the pinion. When the wheel of time goes round.— filed under Joy
Denn aller Ausgang ist ein Gottesurtheil. For every event is a judgment of God.— filed under Judgment
On ne peut être juste si on n'est pas humain. One can not be just if one is not humane. k. XXVIII. Nicht Stimmenmehrheit ist des Rechtes Probe. The proof of justice lies not in the voice of the majority.— filed under Justice
Willst du dich selber erkennen, so sieh' wie die andern es treiben ; Willst du die andern versteh'n, blick in dein eigenes Herz. If you wish to know yourself observe how others act. If you wish to understand others look into your own heart.— filed under Justice
Far must thy researches go Wouldst thou learn the world to know; Thou must tempt the dark abyss Wouldst thou prove what Being is; Naught but firmness gains the prize, Naught but fullness makes us wise, Buried deep truth e'er lies.— filed under Knowledge
Bowring's trans. Wouldst thou know thyself, observe the actions of others. Wouldst thou other men know, look thou within thine own heart.— filed under Knowledge
Der Mohr hat seine Arbeit gethan, der Mohr kann gehen. The Moor has done his work, the Moor may go.— filed under Labor
Angels. Life's but a span, or a tale, or a word, That in a trice, or suddaine, is rehearsèd. The Roxburghe Ballads. A Friend's Advice. Pt. II. Edited by Wm. Chappell. Say, what is life? 'Tis to be born, A helpless Babe, to greet the light With a sharp wail, as if the morn Foretold a cloudy noon and night; To weep, to sleep, and weep again, With sunny smiles between; and then? J. G. SAXE The Story of Life. I've lived and loved.— filed under Life
Coleridge's trans. O'er Ocean, with a thousand masts, sails forth the stripling bold- One boat, hard rescued from the deep, draws into port the old!— filed under Life
Das Spiel des Lebens sieht sich heiter an, Wenn man den sichern Schatz im Herzen trägt. The game of life looks cheerful when one carries a treasure safe in his heart.— filed under Life
Des Lebens Mai blüht einmal und nicht wieder. The May of life blooms once and never again.— filed under Life
Zykel 123. Nicht der Tummelplatz des Lebens- sein Gehalt bestimmt seinen Werth. Tis not the mere stage of life but the part we play thereon that gives the value.— filed under Life
Nicht seine Freudenseite kehrte dir Das Leben zu. Life did not present its sunny side to thee.— filed under Life
O Gott, das Leben ist doch schön! O God, how beautiful is life!— filed under Life
Sein Spruch war: leben und leben lassen. His saying was: live and let live.— filed under Life
106. 110. Wir, wir leben! Unser sind die Stunden Und der Lebende hat Recht. We, we live! ours are the hours, and the living have their claims.— filed under Life
Nur der Gewissenswurm schwärmt mit der Eule. Sünder und böse Geister scheun das Licht. Only the worm of conscience consorts with the owl. Sinners and evil spirits shun the light.— filed under Light
Ah, to that far distant strand Bridge there was not to convey, Not a bark was near at hand, Yet true love soon found the way.— filed under Love
Bowring's trans. Love illumes the realms of night!— filed under Love
Arm in Arm mit dir, So fordr' ich mein Jahrhundert in die Schranken. Thus Arm in Arm with thee I dare defy my century into the lists.— filed under Love
III. 14. Nicht Fleisch und Blut; das Herz macht uns zu Vätern und Söhnen. It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.— filed under Love
"How poor a thing is man!" alas 'tis true I'd half forgot it when I chanced on you.— filed under Man
Der Mensch ist, der lebendig fühlende, Der leichte Raub des mächt'gen Augenblicks. Man, living, feeling man is the easy prey of the powerful present.— filed under Man
Frei geht das Unglück durch die ganze Erde! Misery travels free through the whole world!— filed under Misery
Clothing the palpable and familiar With golden exhalations of the dawn.— filed under Morning
Hier ist die Stelle wo ich sterblich bin. This is the spot where I am mortal.— filed under Mortality
Der Schein soll niedie Wirklichkeit erreichen Und siegt Natur, so muss die Kunst entweichen. The ideal should never touch the real; When nature conquers, Art must then give way.— filed under Nature
Obedience decks the Christian most.— filed under Obedience
Ernst ist der Anblick der Nothwendigkeit. Stern is the visage of necessity.— filed under Opinion
45. Denn nur vom Nutzen wird die Welt regiert. For the world is ruled by interest alone.— filed under Opinion
Du sprichst von Zeiten die vergangen sind. Thou speakest of times that long have passed away.— filed under Oratory
1852. Die Ruhe eines Kirchhofs! The churchyard's peace.— filed under Peace
Es kann der Frömmste nicht im Frieden bleiben, Wenn es dem bösen Nachbar nicht gefällt. The most pious may not live in peace, if it does not please his wicked neighbor.— filed under Peace
In gährend Drachengift hast du Die Milch der frommen Denkart mir verwandelt. To rankling poison hast thou turned in me the milk of human kindness.— filed under Poison
(ch fühle eine Armee in meiner Faust. I feel an army in my fist.— filed under Power
Kann ich Armeen aus der Erde stampfen? Wächst mir ein Kornfeld in der flachen Hand? Can I summon armies from the earth? Or grow a cornfield on my open palm?— filed under Power
Illusion is brief, but Repentance is long.— filed under Repentance
Der Wahn ist kurz, die Reu ist lang. The dream is short, repentance long.— filed under Repentance
Das Aergste weiss die Welt von mir, und ich Kann sagen, ich bin besser als mein Ruf. The worst of me is known, and I can say that I am better than the fame I bear.— filed under Reputation
I am called the richest man in all the Christian world, The sun ne'er sets on my dominions. S.— filed under Royalty
Veuve d'un peuple-roi, mais reine encore du monde. [Rome] Widow of an imperial people, but still queen of the world. n. GILBERT. Wenn die Könige bau'n, haben die Kärrner zu thun. When kings are building, draymen have something to do.— filed under Royalty
Mach' es Wenigen recht; vielen gefallen ist schlimm. Satisfy a few; to please many is bad.— filed under Royalty
Spring flies, and with it all the train it leads; And flowers, in fading, leave us but their seeds. S.— filed under Sculpture
Smith's trans. Song forbids victorious deeds to die.— filed under Song
The lively Shadow-World of Song.— filed under Sorrow
Kurz ist der Schmerz, und ewig ist die Freude! Brief is sorrow, and endless is joy.— filed under Sorrow
Was ist der langen Rede kurzer Sinn? What is the short meaning of this long harangue?— filed under Speech
Against stupidity the very gods Themselves contend in vain. C.— filed under Stupidity
Schad' um die Leut'! Sind sonst wackre Brüder. Aber das denkt, wie ein Seifensieder. A pity about the people! they are brave enough comrades, but they have heads like a soapboiler's.— filed under Stupidity
C'est une tempête dans un verre d'eau. It is a tempest in a tumbler of water. PAUL, GRAND-DUC DE RUSSIE-Of the insurrection in Geneva. Der Sturm ist Meister; Wind und Welle spielen Ball mit dem Menschen. The storm is master. Man, as a ball, is tossed twixt winds and billows.— filed under Success
Other. If thou art something bring thy soul and interchange with mine.— filed under Talk
Lorsqu'une pensée est trop faible pour porter une expression simple, c'est la marque pour la rejeter. When a thought is too weak to be expressed simply, it is a proof that it should be rejected. n. III. Es lebt ein anders denkendes Geschlecht! There lives a race which otherwise does think.— filed under Thought
Like a dart the present glances, Silent stands the past sublime. C.— filed under Time
E. A. Bowring's trans. Threefold the stride of Time, from first to last! Loitering slow, the Future creepeth.— filed under Time
Time. Time flies on restless pinions-constant never. Be constant and thou chainest time forever.— filed under Time
Doch zittre vor der langsamen, Der stillen Macht der Zeit. Yet tremble at the slow, silent power of time.— filed under Time
Tag wird es auf die dickste Nacht, und, kommt Die Zeit, so reifen auch die spät'sten Früchte. Day follows on the murkiest night, and, when the time comes, the latest fruits will ripen.— filed under Time
III. 2. 60. O, wer weiss Was in der Zeiten Hintergrunde schlummert. Who knows what may be slumbering in the background of time !— filed under Time
Was man von der Minute ausgeschlagen Gibt keine Ewigkeit zurück. Eternity gives nothing back of what one leaves out of the minutes.— filed under Time
Die Treue warnt vor drohenden Verbrechen, Die Rachgier spricht von den begangenen. Truth warns of threatening crimes, Malice speaks of those which were committed.— filed under Unity
Seid einig-einig-einig. Be united-united-united.— filed under Unity
Ein Schlachten war's, nicht eine Schlacht, zu nennen! It was a slaughter rather than a battle.— filed under War
das Jahr 1806. Wir sind ein Volk, und einig wollen wir handeln. We are one people and will act as one.— filed under War
Die Limonade ist matt wie deine Seeleversuche! This lemonade is weak like your soultry it! C..— filed under Weakness
Wouldst thou wisely, and with pleasure, Pass the days of life's short measure, From the slow one counsel take, But a tool of him ne'er make; Ne'er as friend the swift one know, Nor the constant one as foe.— filed under Wisdom
II. 5. Ehret die Frauen! sie flechten und weben Himmlische Rosen in's irdische Leben. Honor women! they entwine and weave heavenly roses in our earthly life.— filed under Woman
Schnell fertig ist die Jugend mit dem Wort. Youth is too hasty with words.— filed under Words
Z. Der Freunde Eifer ist's, der mich Zu Grunde richtet, nicht der Hass der Feinde, The zeal of friends it is that razes me, And not the hate of enemies.— filed under Worth
Walpole, June 6, 1767. Doch wisst ihr, in der Hitze des Verfolgens, Verliert man bald den Anfang aus den Augen. Still thou knowest that in the ardor of pursuit men lose sight of the goal from which they start.— filed under Beginnings
Der Mensch ist ein nachahmendes Geschöpf. Und wer der Vorderste ist, führt die Heerde. An imitative creature is man; whoever is foremost, leads the herd.— filed under Imitation
O dass sie ewig grünen bliebe, Die schöne Zeit der jungen Liebe. O that it might remain eternally green, The beautiful time of youthful love.— filed under Lying
Raum ist in der kleinsten Hütte Für ein glücklich liebend Paar. In the smallest cot there is room enough for a loving pair.— filed under Lying
1. 107. Was ist das Leben ohne Liebesglanz! What is life without the light of Love!— filed under Lying
Sehen Sie, die beste Neuigkeit verliert, sobald sie Stadtmärchen wird. Observe, the best of novelties palls when it becomes town talk.— filed under Novelty
Ich heisse Der reichste Mann in der getauften Welt; Die Sonne geht in meinem Staat nicht unter. I am called the richest man in Christendom. The sun never sets on my dominions.— filed under Riches
Der Wein erfindet nichts, er schwatzt's nur aus. Wine tells nothing, it only tattles.— filed under Wine
De l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace. Audacity, more audacity, always audacity. DANTON during the French Revolution. La crainte fit les dieux; l'audace a fait les rois. Fear made the gods; audacity has made kings. CRÉBILLON during the French Revolution. Und setzet ihr nicht das Leben ein, Nie wird euch das Leben gewonnen sein. If you do not dare to die you will never win life.— filed under Audacity
B. Damals war nichts heilig, als das Schöne. In days of yore [in ancient Greece] nothing was sacred but the beautiful.— filed under Audacity
Das ist das Loos des Schönen auf der Erde! That is the lot of the beautiful on earth.— filed under Audacity
Da krabbeln sie nun, wie die Ratten auf der Keule des Hercules. They [the present generation] are like rats crawling about the club of Hercules.— filed under Bonaparte
Gemeine Naturen Zahlen mit dem, was sie thun, edle mit dem, was sie sind. Common natures pay with what they do, noble ones with what they are.— filed under Bonaparte
DEVIL (THE). Verflucht wer mit dem Teufel spielt. Accursed be he who plays with the devil.— filed under Denial
Etwas fürchten und hoffen und sorgen, Muss der Mensch für den kommenden Mor gen. Man must have some fears, hopes, and cares, for the coming morrow.— filed under Leibnitz
Das Licht des Genie's bekam weniger Fett, als das Licht des Lebens. The lamp of genius burns quicker than the lamp of life.— filed under Leibnitz
Deaf rage that hears no leader. C.— filed under Rage
Doch grosse Seelen dulden still. Great souls suffer in silence.— filed under Bonnard
Spät kommt ihr-doch ihr kommt! You come late, yet you come! (Better late than never.)— filed under Tardiness
Zählt der Pilger Meilen, Wenn er zum fernen Gnadenbilde wallt? Does the pilgrim count the miles When he travels to some distant shrine?— filed under Traveli Ing